Here you can find where my research has informed the media, policies, and practice:

Kera News - USA - In Denton, playing Dungeons & Dragons helps slay loneliness and improve mental health

My goal is to explore the role of group processes and group identity in on- and offline settings in the development of pro-social and antisocial responses (e.g., resilience and violence).

My expertise is in the risk and threat assessment of radicalised forensic populations. This includes the psychological formulation, care pathway planning, and rehabilitation of individuals who have committed extremist violence in the past. Current research focuses on the implementation and advancement of the Eco-System of Extremist Violence model that was part of my PhD project, including the exploration of maladaptive personality styles, the origin of aggressive scripts, and the role of neurodivergent presentations.

In a broader sense, this also includes the understanding of risk factors and dynamics related to group-based violence (e.g., gang violence) and online behaviour linked to this (e.g., sharing of hate speech or conspiracy theories). Here, my future endeavours will include increased efforts to research the impact on young people, including their engagement and coping with such materials.

Related to the previous points and connected to my experience as a Crisis and Hostage Negotiator, other research opportunities can include the exploration of the decision-making process in high-pressure situations and the impact of negotiator personalities on the resolution outcome.

Informed by my work with the Equality and Diversity board at the Ashworth High-Security Hospital, I am also exploring avenues for Non-Pathologising Gender Identity Assessment with Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Individuals. This is not just purely a forensic topic and currently includes the conceptualisation of minority resilience (away from the over-focus on minority stress) with an international team in Sri Lanka.

Lastly, I explore the Therapeutic Utility of ‘Dungeons & Dragons’. The growing body of research emphasises the importance of play, positive group experiences, and creative ways to enhance resilience and mental well-being. While I  currently explore opportunities for clinical trials and implementations that support neurodiverse or disenfranchised young people, I welcome any opportunities to introduce this research into the forensic context (e.g., residential housing, probation services).

For more information on any of these topics, please feel free to email me.

As a lecturer, I see my responsibility not only in the delivery of content, but in the support of my students to grow into critical thinking, reflective, and compassionate psychologists. Due to the rapidly changing landscape of Forensic Psychology and the societal responsibilities our roles include, I like to combine traditional lecture delivery with more conversational approaches. This gives my students great opportunities to introduce their own interests and passions that can shape our course content each year in a different way.

I am available to supervise M.Sc. and PhD dissertations in the areas of my research interests, including qualitative and quantitative research approaches. If possible, these projects can settle within my international collaborations (inc. Sri Lanka, Germany, and Australia) and can include joint work with the Ashworth Research Centre, led by Prof. Jane L. Ireland.

Please feel free to email me if you are interested or require further information.

Supervised PhD Projects:

In progress: Exploring the ‘cruel optimism’ of neoliberal LGBT+ health support: building infrastructures of movement between queerness and health - by Chelsea Murphy, 1st Supervisor: Dr Joseph Keenan

Article for the Conversation about Dungeons and Dragons at 50: how the role-playing game may soon be used as a form of therapy

Interview with the Independent about How to win The Traitors, according to psychology experts together with Dr Hannah Fawcett