Gavin joined the Law School as a Professor in 2024. He combines his role at Northumbria University with the post of Head of Policy and Communications at the Sentencing Academy, a research and engagement charity dedicated to developing understanding of sentencing in England and Wales and informing public debate. Before moving to Northumbria University, Gavin worked at De Montfort University and Aberystwyth University. He has held visiting appointments at Kings College London, the University of Birmingham, the University of Modena and Reggio Emila, and Flinders University of South Australia.
He has published extensively on criminal justice, criminology, criminal law and criminal procedure and evidence. His work includes the following books: Minority Ethnic Prisoners and the Covid-19 Lockdown: Issues, Impacts and Implications (with Avril Brandon, 2022); Criminal Justice and the Pursuit of Truth (with Tim Hillier, 2021); Blamestorming, Blamemongers and Scapegoats: Allocating Blame in the Criminal Justice Process (with Tim Hillier, 2015); Alcohol and Crime (2006); Crime and Conflict in the Countryside (ed with Susan R. Moody); Diversion in the Criminal Process (with Christopher Harding, 1998).
At De Montfort University, Gavin won University and Faculty awards for his innovative research-enabled teaching practice. The British Society of Criminology's Learning and Teaching Network recorded a podcast about this. He also held a number of senior research leadership roles, including Chair of the Faculty Research Ethics Committee and Faculty Head of Research Students. Gavin has served on the Executive Committee of the Socio-Legal Studies Association (SLSA) and organised the Association's annual conferences at De Montfort University in 2009 and 2012. He is often invited to speak at conferences and universities nationally and internationally and delivered the 2024 annual Empirical Legal Research Network Lecture at the University of Edinburgh. Gavin comments on criminal justice matters in the media, including for the BBC, ITV and LBC.
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