What’s your job title and how long have you been at Loughborough?

I’m a Reader (Associate Professor) in Legal and Criminological Psychology here at Loughborough and Programme Leader for the MSc Criminology degree. I joined the University back in April 2022.

Tell us what a typical day in your job looks like?

I don’t quite have a typical day, as each day and the priorities I set for it tend to vary. However, a typical week involves juggling teaching, research, and leadership roles. Monday often starts with me responding to emails from the previous week for much of the day. Tuesdays, I often work on ensuring all is running smoothly with the Master’s in Criminology programme that we offer here at Loughborough, checking in with staff and the students enrolled on the course that things are going okay. On Wednesdays, I try to focus on research and this usually involves working on draft manuscripts and the research projects that I have on the go and Thursdays tend to be a day where I try to finish important things that are time-sensitive.

What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on?

Last summer I ran some mock jury trials on campus. Whilst this meant I was super busy, I really enjoyed bringing members of the public onto our lovely campus to better understand how jurors make decisions in complex criminal trials.

What is your proudest moment at Loughborough?

I have had lots of proud moments since joining the University, especially because Loughborough University is so good at recognising staff when they feel that they have done something well. It’s hard to pick one, but I’d probably say those moments when students get in touch and thank me for something I’ve taught or a conversation I’ve had with them that they felt was important to them in some way. That makes me feel proud that I’m helping our students have a positive experience in some way.

Which University value do you most resonate with and why?

Authentic, probably. I’m from a working-class background and was the first in my family to go to university and the truth is, universities (especially prestigious universities) have historically been known to be places that are not always that welcoming to people who are not from wealthy and elite backgrounds. However, my experience at Loughborough could not have been more different. I have felt welcome and even encouraged to be my authentic self. Hard work and excellence are valued and recognised here at Loughborough more so than whether your face fits – at least in my experience.

Tell us something you do outside of work that we might not know about?

Outside of work, I’m a father, husband, brother, son, and uncle, so most of my spare time I spend doing fun stuff with family. As a psychologist in a big family, I also have lots of free therapy sessions to deliver when dealing with the latest drama, so that keeps me busy! I’m also Chair of the Board of Trustees for a Sexual Violence Charity called ‘Justice is Now!’ that works to support victim-survivors, aiming to improve their access to justice in the legal system. It’s nice to be back at the coal face so to speak and working directly to support those individuals as they battle for justice instead of the soft influence we do through journal articles and at policy forum events where victim-survivors are often underrepresented.

What is your favourite quote?

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard” which I believe was popularised by an NBA player quoting something his coach used to say to the team. I love this quote as I have always found it to be true. You don’t have to be the brightest person in the room, but if you work hard at anything, put in the hours of graft, you will do well!