Dr Honor Doro Townshend is a criminologist, lecturer, media expert, and interdisciplinary researcher specialising in substance use, digital cultures, and darknet markets. Her work integrates innovative methodologies – including netnography, mixed-methods analysis, and darknet monitoring – to explore emerging trends in substance use, harm reduction and digital subcultures.
Honor has lectured at multiple universities, where she has led on and developed modules on contemporary issues such as drugs and crime, serial murder, and youth subcultures. An advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration, her PhD research, Perceptions and Embodiments of Masculinities Amongst Men Who Use(d) Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs, utilised mixed-method approaches during the COVID-19 pandemic, bridging criminological and gender theory with public health discourse.
Currently, Honor is focused on novel dissemination strategies, translating complex criminological findings into accessible formats for academic, public, and media audiences. Her ability to communicate research insights effectively has made Honor a recognised figure in public criminology. Honor has hosted award-winning podcasts, regularly contributes to documentaries for Amazon Prime, BBC News, Channel 4, and other major networks, and serves as a judge for the True Crime Awards. Her media work, commended for challenging systemic failures and fostering societal change, highlights her commitment to bridging the gap between research and real-world impact.