As research assistant (covering maternity leave), I am working on a range of projects including understanding young people’s perceptions of risk and risk management; evaluation of an early intervention service for children with problematic or harmful online sexual behaviour; and supporting the wider research aims of the centre. My research interest is in the Scottish youth justice system, its processes and interventions; and young people’s experiences of them. I have recently completed my PhD which looks at how and why decisions are made in an Early and Effective Intervention (EEI) context. The findings provide an opportunity to analyse a key component of the Scottish youth justice landscape and I am committed to undertaking a range of knowledge exchange activities around the research findings.
I previously secured a Masters in Research Methods (MSc) from Glasgow Caledonian University, and have experience of conducting a number of small scale research projects on youth justice issues involving both young people and professionals on issues such as experiences of custody; and stop and search. I also undertake teaching within the School of Social Work and Social Policy and I am involved in a number of activities such as Prison Reading groups.