Summary

I am Senior Lecturer in Counter Fraud Studies, within the Centre for Cybercrime and Economic Crime, at the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Portsmouth. At the Centre, we focus on a diverse range of issues pertaining to fraud, on a local, national and global level. 

Biography

I graduated from the University of Central England with a BA (Hons) degree in Criminal Justice and Policing Studies, before going to to complete my MSc in Criminal Justice Studies at the University of Portsmouth. In 2000, I was appointed as a researcher here at the Institute of Criminal Justice, University of Portsmouth, before being promoted in 2001 to Lecturer in Criminal Justice.

In 2007, I opted to take a career break during which time I taught on a Charity Programme with Include, which catered for 16 - 19 years olds identifying as NEET and with a history of challenging behaviour. My remit was to work with them towards achieving either educational qualifications, employment or gaining access to an apprenticeship programme. Following this, I was soon to be appointed as Interim Manager with a further charitable provision called Regard, where I worked across a variety of supported living units responsible for the well-being and safeguarding of service users diagnosed in possession of a broad range of complex issues pertaining to Mental Health and Learning Difficulties.

In 2012, I returned to the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies as Senior Research Fellow in Counter Fraud Studies, within the Centre for Cybercrime and Economic Crime. It was in 2015, I was appointed Lecturer in Counter Fraud Studies and during 2016, promoted to Senior Lecturer. During this time, I have served as an advisor to The Equalities Review Panel, Whitehall, London, on designing Crime and Victimisation Policy, and as Deputy Secretariat of the Counter Fraud Professional Accreditation Board.

Research interests

Throughout my academic career I have had the fortunate opportunity to be involved on a diverse range of projects concerning crime. My main focus at present is on the act of fraud - in relation to both perpetrators and its victims. 

During 2015, and on behalf of the National Fraud Authority, I performed a series of interviews with a number of individuals having been convicted for fraud as well as responsible for interviewing 'victims of fraud' upon their experiences. Similarly, for 2019, I am currently working on a study commissioned by the Home Office, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, which involves interviewing victims of computer misuse crime (hacking, computer viruses, ransomware etc.). 

A list of my earlier projects is given as follows: -

• Conducted an Independant Inquiry into the unsolved murder of Russell Marsom from Norfolk,  which initiatited a reinvestigation by Cambridgeshire Constabulary's Cold Case Team in 2007 (currently remains ongoing).
• Swindon Gay Community Speaks Out! (2005). A Report Commissioned by Swindon LGBT Coalition Group & The Community & Race Relations Dept, Wiltshire Constabulary.
• Crime Audit East Hampshire District Council (2004).
• Crime Audit Winchester District Council (2004).
• Crime Audit Isle of Wight Council (2004).
• Establishing Market Dynamics and Earnings In Male Prostitution. Funded by £3,000 from University of Portsmouth, (2002-2003).
• Researching in conjunction with Barry Loveday (Reader, ICJS) on Local voices, Local Choices: Devolving Power and Accountability in Policing. Commissioned by The Centre for Policy Studies, London. (2003).
• CCTV Evaluations Stages 3-5, (2000-2004), Portsmouth City Council.
• Establishing A Base Line Of Sentencer Satisfaction With YOT Orders In The Hampshire Youth Courts. Funded by Wessex Youth Offending Team, 2001-2002.
• Assessing The Impact Of The Community Warden Scheme In Seafield, Gosport: Portsmouth City Council (2001).
• The Night Time Economy in Bournemouth & Brighton, (2001). In conjunction with Barry Loveday (Reader, ICJS)

Teaching responsibilities

I currently teach across the BSc (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice degree programme, with responsibility for delivering on the following modules: -

• Understanding Criminology
• Key Issues in Criminal Justice
• Essential Skills for Criminologists
• The Priniciples of Economic Crime
• Researching Criminology
• The Development of Counter Fraud Studies  (Distance Learning)

I am currently the Student Placement Development Tutor for ICJS.

Media availability

I am happy to take calls and emails from the media on our research. Interested journalist can also contact Press and Media Enquires for support and advice on all media engagement, including out of hours.