Rebecca is an Assistant Professor in Criminology and Sociology in the department of Social Sciences. She currently teaches on undergraduate Criminology BSc modules and on the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA). She was awarded her PhD at Northumbria University, entitled 'Exploring the Impact of Meaningful Employment upon the Identity and Desistance Process of Young Offenders' in 2020. 

Rebecca's research interests lie in the areas of youth crime, youth justice, desistance from offending and the changing labour market and how this affects vulnerable groups in society.

She is currently working on two research projects. Firstly, investigating Work Integration Social Enterprise and their role in supporting criminalised individuals desist from crime. Secondly, to greater understand the changing picture of serious youth violence in the Northeast of England and the interventions and best practices that can support young people impacted by violence and child criminal exploitation.