Dr Benjamin Archer LLB (Hons)
Senior Lecturer in Law
Summary
I am a Senior Lecturer within the School of Law, where I teach on the LLB Law and LLB Law with Criminology courses. I am also an early-career researcher studying the use of anti-social behaviour powers.
About
I joined the university in 2015 as an undergraduate student and began teaching in 2019. I have been on the module team for two Level 5 mandatory modules, Land Law and The Law of Trusts, for the past several years, but also have previous experience teaching in other areas. For my teaching, I have been nominated by students for an Inspirational Teaching Award.
I am also an early-career researcher. My PhD, which was jointly funded by the Sheffield Institute for Policy Studies and Doctoral Training Alliance, empirically examined how local authorities and police forces navigate the legal framework when implementing Public Spaces Protection Orders, a tool for addressing anti-social behaviour. I have shared my findings at academic conferences, given keynote speeches, co-authored academic publications, and submitted written evidence to governmental bodies. To support the development of my emerging research profile, I am the recipient of an Early-Career Research and Innovation Fellowship.
I also serve as a co-convenor of the High Streets Research Network, a cross-institutional, multi-disciplinary network that brings together academics, practitioners, and policymakers focused on the future of high streets. Through this role, I have helped organise events and contribute to collaborative research bids aimed at addressing the evolving challenges of high street regeneration.
Teaching
Sheffield Institute of Law and Justice
College of Social Sciences and Arts
Courses
LLB (Hons) Law
LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology
Modules
Land Law (Level 5)
The Law of Trusts (Level 5)
Research
- Examining public perceptions on greenspaces before and after Covid-19 – in collaboration with Sheffield City Council.
- Creating thriving highstreets following Covid-19 - in collaboration with colleagues from CRESR and NBE
- Examining the introduction and implementation of Public Spaces Protection Orders – advised by Liberty.
Selected projects
Publications
Journal articles
Archer, B., & Anton, R. (2022). Co-productive approaches to homelessness in England and Wales beyond the vagrancy act 1824 and public spaces protection orders. British Journal of Community Justice, 18 (1), 4-20. http://doi.org/10.48411/jp74-nn80
Archer, B. (2021). Book review: Urban regeneration in the UK. Urban Studies, 58 (9), 1959-1961. http://doi.org/10.1177/00420980211014415
Theses / Dissertations
Archer, B. (2024). Investigating the Implementation of Public Spaces Protection Orders. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Heap, V., Dickinson, J., & Hickman, P. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00619
Internet Publications
Archer, B. (2023). Sheffield Institute for Policy Studies postgraduate research poster showcase celebrates its return to an in-person event! https://sheffieldinstituteforpolicystudies.com/2023/02/07/sheffield-institute-for-policy-studies-postgraduate-research-poster-showcase-celebrates-its-return-to-an-in-person-event/
Archer, B., & Dickinson, J. (2021). How poster competitions can support postgraduates. https://srheblog.com/2021/12/01/how-poster-competitions-can-support-postgraduates/
Archer, B., Walton, S., Sconce, E., Haid, D., & Cross, C. (2021). SIPS postgraduate research poster showcase celebrates its 5th year! https://sheffieldinstituteforpolicystudies.com/2021/06/07/sips-postgraduate-research-poster-showcase-celebrates-its-5th-year/
Archer, B. (2021). Developing a LGBTQ+ network for Postgraduate Researchers in higher education. https://www.unialliance.ac.uk/2021/02/15/developing-a-lgbtq-network-for-postgraduate-researchers-in-higher-education/
Archer, B. (2020). Exploring the effect of Covid-19 on the future of Sheffield’s greenspaces. https://sheffieldinstituteforpolicystudies.com/2020/11/09/exploring-the-effect-of-covid-19-on-the-future-of-sheffields-greenspaces/
Archer, B., Dickinson, J., Cross, C., & Haid, D. (2020). SIPS Postgraduate Research Poster Competition now in its fourth year! https://sheffieldinstituteforpolicystudies.com/2020/07/03/sips-postgraduate-research-poster-competition-now-in-its-fourth-year/
Archer, B., Dickinson, J., Heap, V., & Black, A. (2020). Covid-19: Blurred Spatial Boundaries. https://sheffieldinstituteforpolicystudies.com/2020/05/07/covid-19-blurred-spatial-boundaries/
Archer, B. (2018). Employing students as researchers: A student’s perspective. https://blog.shu.ac.uk/steer/2018/06/28/employing-students-as-researchers-a-students-perspective/?doing_wp_cron=1555815429.8116109371185302734375
Other publications
Dobson, J., Udall, J., Archer, B., & Cerulli, C. (2024). A sustainable future for local high streets. UK Parliament: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/128930/pdf/
Heap, V., Black, A., Archer, B., Ferrazzi, D., & Lynch, R. (2024). Written evidence submitted by Dr Vicky Heap, Dr Alex Black, Benjamin Archer, Dr Dario Ferrazzi and Richard Lynch to the Criminal Justice Bill Public Bill Committee (CJB45). UK Parliament
Heap, V., Black, A., Archer, B., Ferrazzi, D., & Lynch, R. (2024). Written evidence submitted by Dr Vicky Heap, Dr Alex Black, Benjamin Archer, Dr Dario Ferrazzi and Richard Lynch to the Criminal Justice Bill Public Bill Committee (CJB45). UK Parliament
Heap, V., Grace, J., Black, A., Dickinson, J., & Archer, B. (2020). Is there a need to review the wording and application of guidance and legislation on Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO's)? Joint Committee on Human Rights: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/19144/pdf
Other activities
Editorial Board Member at the British Journal of Community Justice at Manchester Metropolitan University