We know the path to success doesn’t always go smoothly, so we asked our lecturers about the ups and downs on their path to the University of Brighton. Today it’s Criminology lecturer Greg Los, who says: “In my mind it is all about trying and trying as best as I can, and this mindset is also something that I want to try and share with my students.”
Hi Greg, so tell us, what were you like at school? Were you a diligent pupil?
“I would say that I was a good student in secondary school, and I have learnt a lot without actually studying and putting too much time and effort into school. I was always interested in many areas – especially humanities, but also natural sciences. My teachers were all brilliant as well, and that made my experience good.
“All of this changed, however, once I started college as I found a big gap between secondary and further education. We were expected to work much more independently and I had different priorities at the time (going out; playing computer games etc.). It also did not help that I felt as if my peers were better prepared for college, and had better prospects as they came from more privileged backgrounds.
I didn’t want to go to university as I thought that it would be similar to college, but thankfully I was wrong
“Although I feel that my college really tried (and did a good job) I did not enjoy my time there – did not have many friends, and felt like an outsider. All in all, college has discouraged me from education, and I didn’t want to go to university as I thought that it would be similar to college, but thankfully I was wrong.”
Why did you decide to go to university in the end?
“I decided to go to university as at the time I saw myself joining the police, and I thought that by getting a degree in criminology, I will be able to progress faster in the police ranks. Criminology also has this mysterious aura about it, and so I thought that I will study really interesting things (I was not wrong!). Finally, I thought that education might empower me (I was not wrong again!).”
Criminology also has this mysterious aura about it, and so I thought that I will study really interesting things (I was not wrong!)
What did you do after graduation and why did you choose that path?
“After graduating with a BA (Hons) in Criminal Justice and Criminology from the University of Kent, I went on to study for an MPhil in Criminological Research at the University of Cambridge, and then straight to a PhD in Criminology (back at Kent). So overall, I didn’t have a break or a gap, I just wanted to get it all done. After finishing my PhD, I got a job at Brighton and I’ve been here for almost two years now.
“I discovered almost immediately after starting my BA that I actually loved academia – topics were much more flexible and interesting than in college, lecturers valued my ideas, and I realised that I can actually study (e.g., memorise things) really well. I simply (as cheesy as it sounds) loved reading different books, and stimulating myself intellectually. So this was 50% to wanting to become a lecturer (the other 50% I describe below).”
Tell us about any career highs… and lows too…
“I think being an academic is just like any other job in the sense that there are indeed highs and low. In terms of research, people scrutinise you (often) very harshly; you get rejected from journals etc. In relation to teaching on the other hand, you sometimes feel that you haven’t explained something well enough; maybe that your seminar was not engaging enough etc but I think it is important to remember that we are only human and learn from these experiences and feelings.”
It is honestly the best feeling when a student comes up to you and tells you that you explained something well, or that your lecture or seminar was good
“I do fortunately have many more highs than lows – as an academic I visited various countries for research and conferences; met some incredible people and it is honestly the best feeling when a student comes up to you and tells you that you explained something well, or that your lecture or seminar was good. It is moments like this that make me appreciate my job.”
At what point did you decide that you wanted to teach others?
“As I was progressing with my higher education other things happened that made me want to become a lecturer. Firstly, I started to notice some of the things that my lecturers were doing and were brilliant at. They always seemed to have time for me, discussed things with me, and pointed me in the right direction etc.
“This made me appreciate their jobs, and I thought that it would be cool to do what they do. I also started going to academic conferences and saw all of these intelligent (often humble which is the best mix) people who inspired me and made me want to become one of them.”
University was also a huge ‘catalyst’ for me. I studied criminology, but I also ventured into: philosophy, law, history, politics, literature and even started picking up Chinese Mandarin
“University was also a huge ‘catalyst’ for me. I studied criminology, but I also ventured into: philosophy, law, history, politics, literature (Russian, English and French) and even started picking up Chinese Mandarin. It might sound cheesy, but when I picked up Plato’s Republic (first ‘serious serious’ book that I have read in my first year) I thought to myself that this is human legacy, and not something that is only limited (and accessible) to the wealthiest and most privileged in our society … and it is my duty to read things like that and empower myself. I want to continue sharing this view with my students and encourage people to empower themselves through education.”
Was there ever a point where you doubted yourself – where you felt that you weren’t going to achieve your goals?
“I would say that there were many points like this. That being said, I always thought that if I plan things carefully and really think rationally about my objectives, I will be able to get where I want to get. In my mind it is all about trying and trying as best as I can. This mindset is also something that I want to try and share with my students.”
Find out about studying Criminology at the University of Brighton.
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