I am a lecturer in Social Sciences at Northumbria University, teaching across Criminology and Policing programmes. I am also a practitioner with extensive experience in mental health care and education. I have experience of working with women who have experienced trauma, often relating to domestic violence and also those involved in the criminal justice system. This practitioner experience working with disadvantaged and marginalised groups informs my teaching and research.

My doctoral research focused on the traumatic impact of prison on mothers and their families. My research interests include gendered violence, mental health, women and the criminal justice system. There is a particular focus on the links between trauma experiences, mental health and offending. I also have an interest in issues concerning vulnerabilty as relating to policing and how these needs are supported within the criminal justice system.

I am a member of a research clsuter for offenders with complex needs and also the gendered violence and abuse inter-disciplinary research theme.