Sylwia Wypyska-Kieran

Overview

Sylwia Kieran is a doctoral researcher in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at City and St George’s, University of London. Her funded PhD research examines how secondary schools respond to adolescents’ harmful sexual behaviours. This study explores the processes that schools follow, including the involvement and support of police and agencies. The aim is to contribute to the development of more effective and equitable strategies for preventing and addressing harmful sexual behaviours within the school environment. Her interdisciplinary work intersects the fields of sociology, criminology, psychology, education, and gender studies.  

Sylwia holds an MSc in Psychology, an MA in Political Science, and a BSc in Media and Communication. Her academic interests include a wide scope of sexual violence prevention – prevention and early intervention strategies (individual, contextual, institutional, cultural and educational), the overlap of online and offline pathways to HSBs, the role of technology in prevention of and response to HSBs, youth participation, gender sensitive approaches, masculinities and boys’ identity development, and prevention relevant policy.  

Before beginning her PhD, Sylwia worked with several UK-based NGOs and as a freelance consultant, focusing on the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence. She has worked for the University of Oxford’s Equality and Diversity Team focusing on harassment prevention through policy, response and Active Bystander work. Her work is driven by a commitment to equity and inclusion with a practical focus the development of evidence-informed strategies leading to a safer and more respectful world. 

Languages

Polish (can read, write, speak, understand spoken, peer review)

Title of thesis: From Challenges to Solutions: A Comprehensive Study of Responses to Boys’ Harmful Sexual Behaviours in School Settings.

October 2024 - September 2026

Summary of research

This doctoral research explores schools’ responses to reports of boys’ harmful sexual behaviours (HSBs), which have not been addressed by the criminal justice system. It is underpinned by a critical realist approach. Through qualitative interviews and focus groups, the study aims to identify the underlying mechanisms and structures influencing schools’ responses. The research will provide a nuanced understanding of the interplay between social structures, cultural norms, and individual agency. Findings are expected to highlight key factors that promote or hinder effective responses and offer policy recommendations to enhance them. This study contributes to social sciences by employing a critical realist lens to address the complexities of social phenomena.

Research students

1^stsupervisor

• Professor Carrie Myers, Professor of Criminology and Victimology

2^ndsupervisor

• Dr James Rosbrook-Thompson, Reader