Psychology

Profile

Background

B.A. (Hons.) University of Leicester
M.Sc University of Leicester
Ph.D University of York

I joined the department in September 2012 after 12 years of working as a psychologist for the UK probation services in the North-East.  I first joined the probation service in Co. Durham after a project placement while on an MSc in Forensic Psychology at the University of Leicester.  I then spent four years working in various areas of practice under Chartered supervision.  I was BPS Chartered myself in 2004 and from then I led a small team of trainees and psychology assistants using research evidence to address organisational goals (what works in reducing reoffending).  During this time I also worked towards a PhD with the University of York on the application and development of an artificial neural network on offender risk assessment data. 

Teaching responsibilities

I teach on the MSc in Forensic Psychology and the BSc Psychology Year 3 module on ‘Introduction to Forensic Psychology’.  I also contribute to the BSc in Forensic Psychology Year 1 ‘Forensic Psychology in Context’ and the Year 3 ‘Psychology of Offending Behaviour’ module.  I supervise dissertations at BSc, MSc, and PhD levels.

Research Interests

I am always interested in working with individuals or organisations committed to evidence-based practice (‘demonstrable effectiveness’) in the areas of offender risk prediction / risk management and the evaluation of offending behaviour programmes. 

Recent Publications

More recent publications

Invited talks and presentations

Pearson, D. (2012, November).  Measuring probation performance.  Workshop for the Probation Chiefs Association, London, November 23, 2012.

Pearson, D. (2010, September).  Early findings of a Randomised Controlled Trial evaluation of probation supervision.  York Trials Unit fifth annual conference: “Randomised Controlled Trials in the social sciences: Methodological advances in experimental research.”  Oral presentation, University of York, September 21-22, 2010.

Pearson, D., Willoughby, H., & McDougall, C. (2010, June).  Systematic prison behaviour monitoring: Preparing for community risk management.  Workshop at MAPPA Conference, Leeds, June 10-11, 2010.

Pearson, D. (2010, March).  Improving outcomes for supervision.  Workshop at NOMS Conference, Manchester, March 18-19, 2010.

Pearson, D. (2008, September).  Implementing a Randomised Controlled Trial for the evaluation of probation supervision.  York Trials Unit third annual conference: “Randomised Controlled Trials in the social sciences: Methods and synthesis”.  Oral presentation.  University of York, September 30 - October 1, 2008.

Pearson, D. (2007, July). Exploring the potential value of connectionist modelling in the prediction of further offending of sex offenders.  In Symposium VIII: “Establishing the role of forensic psychology and economics with multi-agency public protection cases and prolific offenders.”  Oral presentation.  Division of Forensic Psychology Conference, York, July 23-25, 2007.