Nadine Osman

Bradford-based community champion and researcher Sofia Buncy has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Bradford for her work in the Criminal Justice System (CJS).

Buncy was awarded her doctorate on December 9, in an awards ceremony at the University for her work on Muslim women in prison, a grass-roots, community-led initiative that has helped change theory, practice, and policy for prison leavers.

She was the groundbreaking researcher and co-author of the 2014 report titled Muslim Women in Prison: Second Chance: Fresh Horizons, the first-ever report of its nature in the country.

She was also awarded the doctorate for her community work in Bradford, and her passion for her work was noted by Professor Engobo Emeseh of the University of Bradford.

She is currently leading her team on their fourth academic research project alongside two northern universities into ‘Muslim women prison leavers and resistance,’ which will look at the impact on their lives post-prison and routes to recovery.

In 2020, Sofia was confirmed as a Deputy Lieutenant for West Yorkshire, and in this year’s New Year’s Honours, she received her MBE for ‘services to prisoners and the community of Bradford.’
Her work across Bradford was also highlighted, including the Young in COVID project, which Buncy has been working on since the pandemic, as well as her enthusiasm for other social and charitable causes.

In a statement to The Muslim News, she said: “I’m glad that my work has resulted in giving understanding and visibility to an issue that many people either did not know about or did not want to confront. It has given impetus to conversations around the issue of Muslim women who come into contact with the criminal justice system (CJS) and it has opened up broader conversion around equality for black, brown ethnic minority groups in CJS.”

She added: “It’s an absolute honour to receive this award from a principal institution in Bradford, such as the university, because I am very passionate about supporting communities in Bradford.

To have had the warm welcome I’ve had, Bradford has invigorated me. Yes, it has areas of deprivation and challenges like any other place, but it also has pockets of hope and inspiration, which, if nurtured correctly, can become something very special.

In the future, she hopes to work with the university and research segments of the CJS to help shape the system and create change.

Photo: Sofia Buncy MBE DL awarded honorary doctorate (Credit: K M Images Ltd)