Liam's PhD explores how young people in Birmingham are impacted by the cost of living crisis when considering the backdrop of a global risk society.

Introduction

As the global economy faces perpetual collapse with little signs of immediate revival, there is a mutual experience of precarity and risk within all realms of life, ranging from the institutional to the familial. This became rapidly clear to me as I embarked on my PhD journey at Birmingham City University (BCU) in 2021. I first came to BCU in 2017 to begin my undergraduate studies in criminology. My reasonings for studying criminology were not dissimilar from those of the students who I now teach. I wanted to learn more about society and why people committed crime. I wanted to make a difference. I originally wanted to join the police force or prison service upon the completion of my undergraduate studies. It was at this stage of attending university that I became exposed to unique theoretical approaches that awakened my critical consciousness, particularly Critical Criminological and Social Theory which have very much inspired my research interests. This influenced me to abandon my original plans, and excitedly, I decided to pursue a career in academia. Throughout my undergraduate journey, I made life-long friends and had many experiences that shaped who I am today. I also worked in the student union for a year as a sabbatical officer for student academic experience. During this time, I became inspired to develop a safety on-campus campaign in response to growing concerns of violence on and around campus.