Tell us about yourself

I am a Research Leader and Associate Professor at the University of Northampton and have over 18 years’ practice and management experience in safeguarding, social care, youth justice, ethics, and social justice.

I have consulted nationally with local authorities, police forces and national organisations on developing inclusive practices to develop child sexual exploitation services. I am a member of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Ethics Committee and former member of the NHS Research Ethics Committee. Currently, I’m the Chair of the University of Northampton’s Research Ethics Committee.

Through developing research, I have experience in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) including integrating EDI and RRI into research to address systemic barriers and enhance inclusivity for individuals experiencing disadvantage. By leveraging both empirical research and lived experiences, I drive impactful solutions that promote equitable environments and foster greater social integration. I lead the EDI and RRI policy and practice for the RAi-UK funded PROBabLE Futures “Probabilistic AI Systems in Law Enforcement Futures” and recently completed research through the BRAID funding stream on “The potential of ethical review to support Responsible AI in Policing: A Preliminary Study of West Midlands Police’s specialist data ethics review committee”.

Why did you want to become a Research Affiliate?

I wanted to become a Research Affiliate of the Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre to contribute my expertise in safeguarding, social care, social justice, policing and responsible AI to its mission of addressing how vulnerability develops and how organisations can collaborate to tackle complex social issues. My extensive experience includes nearly two decades of practice and leadership, consulting with local authorities, police forces, and national organisations to create inclusive and effective responses to exploitation and systemic disadvantage.

Through projects like PROBabLE Futures, which explores the use of AI in law enforcement and criminal justice, and research into ethical review processes for responsible AI, I have worked to integrate EDI into systemic solutions. These experiences position me to contribute to the Centre’s work in understanding and mitigating vulnerabilities for groups that are disproportionately impacted by policing.

Given recent development and use of AI in policing, I am keen to engage with the Centre to support developments in projects, policy, guidance and frameworks that can ensure vulnerable groups are protected, rather than at risk, from the use of AI in policing. This includes ensuring vulnerable and marginalised groups have a voice in the development of frameworks, guidance, and policy through participatory and co-produced research.

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

My research aligns strongly with the Centre’s values of inclusivity, collaboration in safe spaces, responsible innovation and reciprocity, focusing on advancing participatory practices that amplify the voices of marginalised and vulnerable groups.

This is evident at the Institute for Social Innovation and Impact, at the University of Northampton, and in research projects such as The PROBabLE Futures projects which emphasises integrity, inclusivity, and collaborative innovation by ensuring that the perspectives of those most affected by systemic challenges are integral to shaping ethical and practical solutions. This project embeds responsible innovation through the inclusion of EDI and RRI principles which align to the Centre’s values. This approach ensures that vulnerable populations, such as individuals impacted by county lines exploitation or modern slavery, are not only protected but have their lived experiences inform the development of AI systems.

My research on ethical review processes advocates for transparency and reciprocity by promoting open dialogue between policing organisations, researchers, and affected communities to ensure tools are developed responsibly.

These projects, along with projects such as “Promoting youth voice in peacebuilding research” (AHRC GCRF), have prioritised co-production with diverse stakeholders to address systemic barriers, fostering solution-focused outcomes that are equitable and sustainable. By championing participatory practices, my work reflects the Centre’s commitment to ethical collaboration and drives innovation that meaningfully responds to the needs of vulnerable groups.