Natalie holds a PhD in Politics from the University of Leeds, which examined the conceptualisation of threat through an analysis of the implementation of the Prevent Duty within Greater Manchester’s Further Education sector.

Following the completion of her PhD, Natalie was awarded an ESRC Postdoctoral award at the University of Leeds to disseminate the PhD findings and begin important impact-driven work. Natalie has undertaken a series of research and teaching-based roles, including Research Fellow on a Horizon Europe project, IcARUS; Assistant Professor of Security Studies and Teaching Fellow/Associate across a number of higher education institutions including the Universities of Leeds, Nottingham, Sheffield, Sussex, and Salford, designing, implementing, and assessing teaching provision across undergraduate and postgraduate modules.

Natalie’s research interests centre on exploring vulnerability within the field of counter-terrorism and counter-extremism policy and practice, predominantly within a UK context. Her work is undertaken through an everyday, critical security lens that adopts an intersectional feminist approach to enquiry. She is particularly interested in the conceptualisation of threat within everyday spaces, such as sites of education, and the role of extremist and hate speech within everyday spaces.

Natalie is currently working on Diversion, exploring the role of out-of-court programmes in diverting those with significant experience of the criminal justice system and unmet social needs, away from criminal proceedings. She is also working on the development of Vulnerability Awareness Training, synthesising the incredible research from across the centre to produce evidence-based CPD training on identifying vulnerabilities and protecting vulnerable people.