I am a mixed-methods researcher with expertise in leading complex, national, multi-site projects. My work focuses on care pathways through forensic mental health services, particularly admission to and discharge from secure psychiatric services in the context of the prison system, and access to healthcare within prisons.

I hold a BSc (Hons) in Psychology (2010) and an MRes in Psychology (2011), both from the University of Manchester. After several Research Assistant posts in clinical and healthcare settings, I worked as an Independent Mental Health Advocate, where I developed a strong interest in forensic mental health pathways, especially for people in contact with the criminal justice system.

In 2014, I began my PhD at the University of Manchester, titled A comparative study of people transferred from prison to hospital: their pathway and outcomes, under the supervision of Professors Jennifer Shaw, Roger Webb, and Caroline Sanders. I was awarded a PhD in Psychiatry in 2019.

Following my PhD, I was Co-Principal Investigator on the NIHR RfPB-funded project An investigation into aftercare planning for those remitted to prison from secure services, followed by Principal Investigator for the NIHR Policy Research Programme-funded project Access assessments for admission to adult low and medium secure services.

I am a Lecturer in the Division of Psychology and Mental Health, contributing to the BSc Psychology and MSc Forensic Psychology and Mental Health programmes and I am Academic Advisor and Supervisor for PhD students.

I am currently Co-Lead of the Health and Justice Research Network and serve as Chair of the Research Ethics Oversight Committee.

My research focuses on:

• Pathways of care in criminal justice and secure mental health settings
• Health and social care needs of people in contact with the criminal justice system
• Identification and management of health needs and risk
• Evaluation of novel services to improve care quality and equity

I specialise in managing complex, multi-site, mixed-methods research, including study design, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and ensuring policy-relevant impact.

Selected Projects

PhD: A comparative study of people transferred from prison to hospital under the Mental Health Act
This three-phase mixed-methods study included:

1. A national prospective cohort of patients discharged from NHS medium secure units
2. One-year follow-up of individuals remitted to prison
3. Qualitative interviews with clinicians on discharge decision-making

The project involved 101 research sites and was the first national and international study to explore pathways and outcomes for patients returned to prison from secure care. Findings are currently informing national policy and have underpinned further NIHR funding.

Aftercare Planning for Individuals Remitted to Prison from Secure Services
Funded by NIHR RfPB, this study was delivered in partnership with the Health and Justice Research Network and included:

1. National surveys of prison and secure mental health services
2. Qualitative interviews with clinicians
3. An expert consensus event to develop recommendations

The project engaged 53 secure services and 117 prisons, with outputs currently being finalised ahead of a planned implementation study in the North West.

Access Assessments for Admission to Adult Medium and Low Secure Services
This NIHR-funded study investigated the newly implemented Provider Collaboratives’ access assessment processes. It comprised:

1. A meta-narrative synthesis of the literature
2. A national retrospective and prospective analysis of access referrals
3. Qualitative interviews with clinicians and service users

This was the first national study examining access assessment under the Provider Collaborative model and aimed to inform equitable and effective delivery across England.

I supervise BSc and MSc students on projects aligned with my research interests, and I also provide doctoral supervision for PhD Psychology, PhD Psychiatry, and the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

I welcome enquiries from students interested in postgraduate research (MSc, MPhil, or PhD) in the following areas:

• Forensic mental health care pathways

• Mental health and healthcare access in prison

• Transitions between youth and adult services

• Admissions to and discharges from secure psychiatric hospitals

• Mental health screening and risk assessment within the criminal justice system

• Evaluation of policy and service innovations in secure settings

• Lived experience-informed approaches to forensic or custodial care

Please feel free to get in touch to discuss potential supervision or research collaboration.

Current doctoral students:

Laura Wicks, 'Prison officers experiences of reflective practice within the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway.'

Jana Bowden, 'The women's OPD pathway in Prisons.' 

Gloria Liu,  'Intermittent Explosive Disorder and the determinants of violent outcomes'.