Tracey is a graduate from the BA Social Work and LLM Criminal Justice & Penal Change programmes at the University of Strathclyde
Tell us a little bit about your background...
I was born in East Kilbride, Scotland.
The first time I left my hometown was at eighteen when I travelled to Pakistan for voluntary work, teaching English and drama in a school and hostel for girls from impoverished villages. This experience shaped my perspective, but my journey before then was far from easy.
Childhood was turbulent. My mother passed away when I was twelve. Concerns for my welfare meant I could not remain in my childhood home and was placed in foster care.
One day in my first year of high school, I never returned home. The comfort of playing outside on my bike, climbing trees with friends disappeared overnight. Strangers' homes became my reality, bringing new rules, unfamiliar food, and a constant rotation of social workers. Grief had no space to exist. Instead, I learned survival.
My longer-term foster care placement was marked by emotional abuse and neglect. Encouragement, praise, or expectations of achievement did not exist. My teenage years were about staying afloat, not imagining a future. Education felt like an uphill battle. Confidence in my abilities was non-existent, mirroring teachers' attitudes towards me. I was placed in lower-level classes for all subjects except Home Economics and English. I loved English, eager to contribute in class, but a speech impediment and lack of confidence kept me silent.
I left school with minimal grades, no home, and no direction. The world had low expectations for care-experienced young people. It was assumed I would fall into drugs or crime: another statistic. Defying those assumptions was the harder path.
A chance encounter with an organisation called World Exchange changed everything. I took on the challenge of travelling to Sialkot, Pakistan, where I had the most incredible, life changing experience. There, no one understood 'care experience' or attached stigma to my past. I was accepted for who I was. The unconditional love and support I received gave me strength. Pakistan expanded my horizons and helped me discover myself. The challenges I embraced during my time there became the foundation for my future.
Returning to Scotland, I embarked on my educational journey. I completed a HNC in Social Care, progressed to a BA in Social Work at the University of Strathclyde. After qualifying, I spent thirteen years working in child protection and justice, using my experiences to support others.
What drew you towards undertaking a Masters degree?
I loved working as a social worker and for many years, never considered an alternative career. Part of this was owed to disbelief I was capable of anything beyond my role.
Everything changed when I became Early and Effective Intervention Coordinator for domestic abuse and youth offending. This position involved multi-agency collaboration with Police, Housing, Health, and Education, opening my eyes to the complexities of domestic abuse, particularly what is now recognised as coercive control. It also provided insight into the triggers of offending and factors leading children into criminality, such as abuse, neglect, and poverty.
Building on this experience, I transitioned into a role as a Criminal Justice Social Worker, working with individuals subject to Court-ordered supervision. This position challenged my preconceptions, as I spent time developing relationships with individuals and understanding their journeys. This ignited a passion in me to gain a deeper understanding of the Justice system and explore desistance and rehabilitation. In my spare time, I attended conferences focused on improving the justice system and recognising the value of lived experience in desistance approaches.
Developing a slow thirst for learning, I discovered the LLM/MSc in Criminal Justice and Penal Change, I knew instantly it would be both fascinating and an exceptional educational opportunity. The course allowed me to combine my existing knowledge with my passion, strengthening my understanding of international approaches to justice and exploring alternative methods. Applying for the LLM/MSc was one of the most spontaneous and risky decisions I had ever made. By this time, I was a single parent with no family support and still questioning my ability to take on such a challenge.
What did you enjoy most about the Masters?
The LLM/MSc in Criminal Justice and Penal Change was absolutely worth the risk. Every class was engaging and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting and useable impression. Given the opportunity, I would complete the course all over again to realise the full potential of my knowledge and its applications.
The knowledge has been life-changing, significantly shaping my professional journey. The course should be an essential part of learning for professionals working within the care and legal sectors. It broadened my perspective, allowing me to make more balanced and informed decisions. The insights gained continue to influence my practice, reinforcing the value of education in driving meaningful change.
One of the most enjoyable aspects was meeting and forming strong friendships with international students from Saudi Arabia, Africa, Pakistan, and Germany. The diversity of experiences and perspectives made discussions and debates incredibly enriching. The opportunity to exchange ideas with individuals from different backgrounds was invaluable—and being treated to international home-cooked meals by fellow students was an unexpected bonus!
Tell us a little bit about your dissertation topic...
I chose to focus my dissertation on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), driven by the growing understanding of trauma and how professionals can be supported to respond in a trauma-informed manner. My interest stemmed from a widely used ‘scoring tool’ developed in America, which assesses trauma based on a set of questions, using the score to determine service provision and risk levels.
Given my own childhood experiences, I was particularly passionate about this topic, understanding there needed to be a dialogue challenging the perception of risk associated with trauma. I found the scoring system risked further labelling and stigmatising individuals rather than adopting a strengths-based approach.
My research involved a qualitative study where participants completed the ACEs questionnaire, recorded their scores, and reflected on their personal and professional perspectives. I interviewed professionals and academics from various sectors, including individuals with experience of being ‘in care.’ The aim was for professionals to engage with deeply personal and triggering questions as a service user would, allowing them to reflect on how childhood experiences shape development.
Participants raised concerns that the ACEs model focuses primarily on the family unit, overlooking social, political, and economic factors that significantly impact adversity. These external pressures can leave families disempowered, yet they are not accounted for in the scoring system. Many found the questions “upsetting, infuriating, and disempowering”, while others reflected on resilience, the ability to overcome trauma, and the influence of privilege. One of my favourite quotes from my dissertation was: “Some of them (ACEs) can apply to absolutely anybody. The question – did your parents ever swear at you…My parents are Glaswegian, they swear at everybody!”
Since the completion of my research, I have presented the findings to multi-agency audiences and currently use the outcomes to develop training surrounding trauma-informed practice and challenging stigma in my role.
What was the academic support at Strathclyde like?
Tutors were approachable and went above and beyond to enhance students’ development. Each had a depth of knowledge about their subject and were equally passionate. Classes provided a safe and non-judgemental space to exchange ideas and engage in discussion. Professor Mike Nellis, Dr Michelle Donnelly and Professor Cyrus Tata were outstanding, and the knowledge gained from their classes will stay with me for life.
Tell us a little bit about how your degree has helped you in your post-University life...
The experience of the LLM/MSc in Criminal Justice & Penal Change, particularly Professor Cyrus Tata’s class in Justice and Penal Decision-Making, inspired a career change for me. The course supplied confidence to take on my greatest challenge - pursuing a career in law.
I progressed to study the LLB at University of Strathclyde, and with the incredible support of a John Fitzsimons Memorial Scholarship (for mature students in need), I was able to realise my potential, graduating with merit in both the MSc and the LLB.
I feel immensely proud of these achievements, but one of my proudest moments was graduating from the MSc with my son in the audience. The sight of him walking through the streets of Glasgow wearing my graduation gown meant everything to me. I hope he takes inspiration from my journey.
Since then, I have completed a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice and now work as a qualified Solicitor with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).
In this role, I integrate my personal, professional, and academic experiences and strive for positive change. I serve as an Equalities Ambassador for Care Experience, working to improve awareness and support for individuals from care backgrounds. As a board member, I contribute to enhancing responses to victims and the prosecution of cases involving abuse in institutions.
I am also actively involved in developing staff training on trauma-informed practice, ensuring professionals understand the complexities of abuse in care. Working alongside policy teams, I embed trauma-informed approaches within the justice system, ensuring, lived experience informs decision-making. In addition, I collaborate with HR to establish an internship programme aimed at supporting care-experienced individuals in pursuing careers within the legal profession.
A key goal for me is to be a positive role model for young people in care and those leaving care, inspiring recognition in potential. I have developed links with Lawyers Who Care, with the aim of encouraging care-experienced individuals to access and pursue careers in law to nurture more diverse representation within the profession.
Excitingly, I am now preparing to transition into a policy role within COPFS, which provides an opportunity to merge personal, professional, and academic expertise. This new position will allow me to collaborate with justice partners to influence systemic change within the justice system, continuing my commitment to making a meaningful impact.
What advice would you give to someone considering applying for this course?
This course was genuinely the best decision I have ever made. Leaving an established career to step into the unknown can feel daunting, but the rewards are immeasurable. The LLM/MSc will open your mind, challenge your thinking, and equip you with the tools to pursue your passions. It remains the foundation and inspiration for my legal career journey. As a single parent with no family support, I initially feared further education would be out of reach. However, there is a wide range of academic, emotional, and financial support available to help students succeed. The mature students’ lounge became a vital space for me to juggle late-night studying and childcare. My son sat in the lounge with juice and donuts while I worked. One particularly memorable moment was when a lecturer offered to babysit, allowing me to meet an assignment deadline.
I am living proof that obstacles can always be overcome with the right support! For anyone considering this course, take the leap. The experience will enhance your knowledge and provide you with a supportive community that will help you achieve more than you ever thought possible.