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- Created on Tuesday, 16 October 2012 15:01
Annie Westcott, former university student at South Devon College, has recently achieved a series of great successes on graduating from Plymouth University.
Annie, who originally came to the College to study on the Foundation Degree in Young People and Community Services, has gained a first class honours degree with the school prize for Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies – she came top out of 198 students - sponsorship by the University through an MSc, a dissertation about to be published, a teaching role at Plymouth University and a research team all of her own.
She says that her time at South Devon College gave her a passion for research, and an interest in Criminology and Criminal Justice which she has pursued in her career since. Her dissertation was on the highly topical subject of ‘Domestic trafficking of British national children for sexual exploitation’, and took her to Greater Manchester – where they are over 24,000 cases of sexual abuse every year - to interview police officers there, as well as talking to local police. The results of her research were so startling that she was encouraged to publish the paper in the prestigious Law and Criminal Justice Review; the journal will be coming out in October.
Alison Milner, Annie’s tutor at South Devon College, said:
“Annie showed a passion for learning that was clear from the start of the course. Coupled with her ability to write academically, I am not surprised that Annie has succeeded in such a great way.”
Annie, who has 7 grandchildren and one great grandchild, had been a civil servant for 13 years so studying in this subject area was a new departure for her.
“I had to make the decision to go back or go forward; I’ve Alison and South Devon College to thank for giving me the research bug and spurring me on to the successes I’m now enjoying. All my family were so proud of me at the graduation ceremony – I think they made rather a lot of noise! I never expected this success; everything has happened at once. I’m so glad I have the chance to make a difference before it’s too late.”
Annie’s tutor at Plymouth University, Gareth Addidle (Lecturer in Criminology/Criminal Justice at Plymouth University and Secretary of the South West British Society of Criminology), was full of praise for Annie.
“Annie is an exceptional student who knows no boundaries. She is destined for a successful career in academia and is a credit to us all”.
