I am a highly motivated PhD graduate in law, with a strong focus on the English and Welsh criminal justice system. My research interests include criminal legal aid, criminal defence, the legal profession, the UK courts, and behavioural science. With a strong foundation in socio-legal research, policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and behavioural science methods, I am deeply committed to addressing the challenges within the criminal justice system using behavioural change theory. I am passionate about developing evidence-based policy recommendations that contribute to meaningful reform and improve the system's effectiveness and fairness.
May 2025
PhD in Law: University of Exeter
Thesis title: Governmental Reforms to Criminal Legal Aid and Their Impact on the Recruitment of Younger Practitioners. An Analysis of the Reforms’ Effectiveness Through the Lens of the Theory of Planned Behaviour
Supervisors: Dr Rebecca Helm & Professor Caroline Fournet
Research Methods: A cross-sectional design, whereby data was gathered from an online survey of 525 aspiring solicitors across various English and Welsh universities and analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling.
Sept 2020 – Aug 2021
Master of Socio-Legal Research (Merit): University of Exeter
Modules: Approaches to Research in Law, Socio-Legal Research Skills, Family Law & Social Change, Qualitative Methods in Social Research, Applied Quantitative Data Analysis, Philosophy of the Social Sciences, Research Methods in the Social Sciences.
Dissertation: Investigating the Causes of the Forthcoming Practitioner Crisis in the Southwest Criminal Defence Profession: A Socio-Legal Examination of Students' Perceptions of Job and Organisation Fit and their Intentions to Specialise as Criminal Defence Solicitors.
Supervisor: Dr Rebecca Helm
Research Methods: A cross-sectional design, whereby data was gathered from an online survey of 169 English and Welsh law students and analysed using regression analysis.
Sept 2018-Sept 2020
LLM in Law (Distinction): University of Exeter
Modules: Trademarks, International Criminal Law, International Arbitration, Human Rights and Modern Technologies
Dissertation: Using secondary data obtained through a freedom of information request to investigate whether Stop and Search Deter Crime? An Empirical Study on the Deterrent Effect of Stop and Search on Possession of Controlled Substances Offenders in Devon
Supervisor: Rachel Gimson
Sept 2015-June 2018
BA (Hons) Legal Studies (2:1): University of Exeter
Modules: Contract Law, Criminal Law, Constitutional & Administrative Law, Legal Foundations, Torts, Land Law, Equity & Trusts, Gender, Sexuality and Law, Commercial Law, Family Law, Criminal Justice.
March 24 - June 24
Policy Bristol Intern, University of Bristol
Uploaded academic policy briefings online
Sat in on meetings with academics to discuss their policy engagement needs
Attended a PolicyBristol training event on how to engage with policy makers
Feb 22 - Aug 22
Mature Student Research Project Intern
Analysed existing data to determine whether the mature student peer mentoring intervention has had significant impacts on academic performance, retention, and/or attainment
Compiling suggestions (both from the literature and from University of Exeter mature students themselves) for new / modified forms of support for mature students at the institution
Aug 21 - Sept 21
Graduate Research Assistant, Evidence Based Justice Lab, University of Exeter
As part of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry Project led by Professor Richard Moorhead, Dr Rebecca Helm and Karen Nokes, I assisted with the following tasks:
The compilation of a database holding information about individuals involved in the associated Hamilton case and coding them by certain factors.
Reviewing the literature on inadequate defence representation, overcharging and disclosure failures.
Oct 18 - June 19
Research Assistant, University of Exeter, School of Education
Employed as a research assistant in a collaborative project exploring the Hidden Curriculum in Higher Education. My main responsibilities included co-designing research methods, recruiting participants, conducting focus group interviews, analysing some of the data and dissemination. Participating in the project enabled me to develop my research skills and gain an insight into students’ Higher Education experiences.
Sept 2024- Dec 2024
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) 1+3 funded studentship
· Standard yearly maintenance grant: £15,609
· Fees: £4,500
· Research training support grant: £750
· Overseas fieldwork support: £450
· Total: £20, 892
July 2023
Supporting Your Research Journey
Funded by the South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) a place on UWE Bristol’s PGR Residential 2023 (July 2023)
June 24 - Present
PolicyBristol Coordinator
Uploading and managing academic policy briefings to PolicyBristol's website.
Organising training events for the Independent Parliamentary Trust (IPT), supporting academics in policy engagement.
Designing and distributing the teams monthly newsletter using Mailchimp.
Preparing team meetings agendas to ensure efficient communication.
Creating and curating content for PolicyBristol's social media platforms to increase visibility and engagement.
Attending meetings with academics to assess and address their policy engagement needs.
Participating in PolicyBristol’s training events on effective engagement with policymakers to further develop my skills.
Assist with organising workshops and training sessions for academics in collaboration with key stakeholders and governmental institutions.
Conduting stakeholder mapping for academics to dissminate their research.
April 2024
Introduction to Learning and Teaching in HE
Session planning and design
Assessment, Marking, and Feedback
Microteach
Contextualising Practice
Quantitative data analysis using PLS-SEM, SPSS
Stakeholder mapping and policy engagement
Knowledge and previous experience with a range of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, including through surveys and focus groups
Previous experience working published statistics from the Ministry of Justice
Presentation of clear findings and policy recommendations
Skilled at working under pressure and to tight deadlines
Strong teamwork and leadership abilities
Clear communication of complex concepts
Experience with Freedom of Information requests
Commitment to equal opportunities and diversity
Strong organisational and project management skills
High level of IT proficiency (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and databases)
Excellent transcription skills (65 WPM typing speed)
National Centre for Research Methods course on Questionnaire Design for Mixed-Mode, Web and Mobile Web Surveys
Westlaw Basic Training Certificate
Lexis Nexis Basic Training and Advanced Training Certificate – proficiency in legal research and Databases
Behaviour Change Interventions: Introductory Principles and Practice Univeristy College London (UCL)
Young Legal Aid Lawyers
Socio-Legal Studies association (student member)
Avaliable upon request