Coming to UC after four years at the Department of Corrections New Zealand | Ara Poutama Aotearoa, Helen leveraged her knowledge of the sector to redesign this flagship course of the criminal justice programme at UC. Integrating tours of the Justice Precinct, a careers event, guest lectures from professionals, and internship and volunteering opportunities, she connects students to the sector and broadens their understanding of the range of opportunities that are available after their studies.
Helen also recognised that students who are drawn to criminal justice are a unique and particularly diverse group, coming to UC from many different cultures, backgrounds, and stages of life. Many students have personal connections or experiences with the justice system, so she strives to proactively support the wellbeing and emotional resilience of students, teaching self-care strategies and offering coffee drop-in sessions to help students manage their trauma. Many students are working (some already in the system), caring for families, or live in areas of the motu where they cannot easily get to a university campus, so she worked with the Future Learning and Development team and Tuihono | UC Online to redevelop the face-to-face course into a flexible hybrid model, accessible across Aotearoa New Zealand and flexible for on-campus learners.
However, Helen’s most innovative contribution to CRJU101 may be her collaboration with the Happy You Theatre Company, whose actors have lived experience of prison. Drawing on a fictional narrative with two individuals (‘Jimmy’ and ‘Chris’) developed as a case study to showcase the differences between Māori and Pākehā experiences of the justice system, the actors recorded narrative and assessment scenarios for the course, conveying complex concepts such as victimology, institutional racism, and the importance of support structures in reducing recidivism. This innovative use of theatre in education helps students to “find their ‘why’,” immersing them in the world where they hope to make a difference and giving them a sense of purpose:
“This has made me feel more connected to the real-world challenges in criminal justice. It wasn't just about theory, but about understanding what skills and qualities are needed in the field. I now have a clearer vision of my career path and what I need to work on.”
The results of Helen’s creative mahi can not only be seen in a substantially increased pass rate and an increase in student GPAs, but also in her nomination for the UCSA Student Choice Awards, her 2023 Australia New Zealand Society of Criminology Award for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching, and the glowing testimonials she has received from her students.
