Tell us about yourself

I am a leading researcher in police psychology, with a particular focus on the mental health and wellbeing of police personnel. My work explores the psychological demands of policing such as stress, trauma, and organisational pressures and aims to develop practical, evidence-based interventions to support officer wellbeing. I collaborate with police organisations across the UK and internationally, co-designing sustainable initiatives grounded in frontline realities. I also contribute to national policy through my role on National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) working groups focused on police wellbeing.

In 2017, with colleagues, I received the Wayman Mullins Best Journal Article of the Year Award from the Society for Police and Criminal Psychology, recognising the impact of our research on police wellbeing. My earlier work with forensic psychiatrists and psychologists advanced methods for detecting malingering and feigned mental illness in legal and clinical contexts.

I currently serve as Subject Area Lead for Crime and Policing and Deputy Director of Staff Research in the Crime and Policing Research Centre at the University of Huddersfield. I lead a team of over 20 academic staff and oversee programmes for around 500 students. In these roles, I support the integration of research into curriculum development and fosters a research-led environment that addresses real-world challenges in policing.

Why did you want to become a Research Affiliate?

I applied to become an affiliate of the Centre because of my strong alignment with its values particularly its collaborative and supportive approach to research aimed at improving policing. The Centre’s current research focus closely mirrors the work I have been engaged in for nearly a decade, especially around vulnerability and mental health in police personnel. Becoming an affiliate offers an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to this important area of study and to collaborate with colleagues who share a commitment to evidence-based, impactful research.

The Centre is widely recognised as one of the leading hubs for policing research, and its affiliate programme presents valuable opportunities for connection, knowledge exchange, and interdisciplinary collaboration. I believe that through this affiliation, I can both contribute to and benefit from the Centre’s dynamic research environment, helping to advance understanding and practice in the field of police wellbeing.

How does your research connect to the Centre’s mission and values?

My research seeks to improve the wellbeing of police personnel a group particularly vulnerable to poor mental health and trauma. The work that my colleagues and I have undertaken at the Crime and Policing Research Centre at the University of Huddersfield aligns closely with the Centre’s ongoing research into vulnerability and mental health in policing. In particular, my aspiration to develop and apply data-driven solutions to these challenges reflects the Centre’s mission to produce impactful, evidence-based research. I believe that through affiliation, I can contribute meaningfully to the Centre’s collaborative efforts to enhance the wellbeing of those working in policing, while also benefiting from the shared expertise and opportunities the Centre provides.