Hello! In July 2022, I joined York St John University as a Lecturer in Social Sciences. Prior to this, I was a Doctoral Researcher and Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Sheffield. I have also worked as an Intelligence Researcher for South Yorkshire Police.
I come from a working-class background, and I am passionate about improving experiences, opportunities, and outcomes for underrepresented students. I am the Widening Participation Lead in the Social Sciences department at YSJ, and my work has included collaborating with students on research projects, co-authoring book reviews, setting up a student blog, organising and leading graduate internships, participating in mentorship schemes and teaching on summer schools. Furthermore, I run an introductory criminology and sociology course with Converge, which is an organisation that provides free educational courses to individuals using mental health services in York.
Outside of work, I like walking (particularly in my home county of Derbyshire, but also in Yorkshire, Norfolk, Cornwall, Devon and the Lake District), visiting gardens, going to the theatre, paddleboarding, and watching cricket. I also enjoy supporting my local ladies’ football team, baking and doing crafty things.
Qualifications
- PhD Law and Criminology (University of Sheffield)
- MA International Criminology (Distinction - University of Sheffield)
- LLB Law and Criminology (First - University of Sheffield)
I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and was nominated for the Most Inspirational Member of Staff Award in 2025.
In the 2025 to 2026 academic year, I am teaching on the following modules:
- Advanced Research Methods 1 (Convenor)
- Social Research Methods 2 (Convenor)
- Prisons and Penology (Convenor)
- Social Science Investigation
My research interests include vulnerability, power, marginalisation, social inequality, and social class.
My PhD examined the experiences of unrepresented defendants at court. I interviewed court actors and observed a range of hearings in two magistrates’ courts. This research was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, and I have published several articles based on it.
I am leading a project that focuses on prison chaplains in England. The study examines the role of chaplains in women’s prisons, the nature of their relationships with prisoners, their experiences working in these settings, and the work culture that exists.
Furthermore, I am involved in a project that focuses on the experiences of early career researchers and the impact of social class.
Current:
- Widening Participation Lead
- Member of the School Quality Panel
- External Examiner at Liverpool John Moores University
- British Academy Representative for the Yorkshire and Humber Cluster
- Member of the British Society of Criminology Vulnerability Research Network
Past:
- Social Sciences Level 6 Lead
- Member of the Appeals and Conduct Committee
- Member of the Research Ethics Committee
