A view of Singleton Campus including Singleton Park and the beach, with the sea stretching into the horizon.
A head shot of Joe Janes

Dr Joseph Janes

Lecturer in Criminology, Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy

Telephone number

+44 (0) 1792 602490

Email address

Office - 309
Third Floor
Keir Hardie Building
Singleton Campus

About

Dr Joseph Janes is a Lecturer in Criminology at Swansea University and Employability Lead for the School of Social Sciences. He holds a PhD in Criminology from Swansea University, where he researched the role and influence of youth offending team managers in the context of pre-devolution youth justice. Dr Janes has research specialisms in Harm Reduction and Substance Use, as well as Welsh Policy and Devolution within the youth justice system.

Joseph is the harm reduction lead for the Global Drug Policy Observatory (GDPO), working on various projects, including the innovative “Spike on a Bike” initiative in collaboration with the Hywel Dda Health Board and Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service. Additionally, he is involved in a project for Public Health Wales, mapping hidden populations of substance users in Wales. His vested interest in welfare-based approaches to reducing harm has led him to partner with Ithinc Welfare Services to assess the need for drug testing at UK festivals.

Through ongoing projects and collaborations, Joseph continues to make significant contributions to the field, advocating for evidence-based policies and practices that prioritise the well-being of vulnerable populations. His work has been instrumental in advancing key areas of harm reduction, bringing about substantial positive changes for individuals and communities, and undertaking impactful research on public health and social justice.

Prior to his academic career, Joseph gained practical experience working in youth homelessness at Llamau, where he supported vulnerable young people in resettling into housing and offered both career and professional development support. This background informs his research and teaching, emphasising real-world applications and the impact of policy on individuals' lives.

Current Research Projects:

Spike on a Bike: Collaboration with Hywel Dda Health Board and Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service

Mapping Hidden Populations: Project for Public Health Wales

Drug Testing at UK Festivals: Partnership with Ithnic Welfare Services

Areas Of Expertise

  • Harm Reduction and Substance Use
  • Drug Testing at Festivals
  • Welfare-Based Approaches to Reducing Harm
  • Mapping Hidden Populations
  • Welsh Policy and Devolution
  • The Youth Justice System

Career Highlights

Teaching Interests
  • Crime, Drugs and Alcohol
  • Social Harm
  • Youth Justice
  • Critical Challenges in Childhood
  • The Politics of Crime Control
Research Award Highlights Collaborations