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Have you always been interested in criminology?

“When I was younger my dream was to become a police officer, and I had always intended to enroll on an undergraduate course that would help me achieve this. I’m originally from Germany and I also wanted to study in an English-speaking country.

“When I was 17, I visited Edinburgh and instantly felt at home. I saw Edinburgh Napier University taught criminology which brought together all the subjects I was interested in. It was a perfect fit.”

What was your study experience like?

“I really enjoyed my undergraduate, particularly the psychology side of things. After graduating in 2016 I researched Masters programmes and luckily for me I discovered ENU had recently launched an applied criminology and forensic psychology course. I graduated with my MSc in 2017. 

“My experience at ENU was great as I got lots of opportunities to connect with industry. I also went to a criminology summer school in Florida, USA, with other students from Scotland. I attended lectures and I went on a police ride along. It was an incredibly interesting experience and a fantastic opportunity to see how criminology operates in another culture.

“I was also heavily involved in student clubs and societies and was Treasurer of both the Drama and Women’s Football clubs.”

What did you do after finishing your Masters?

“After finishing my postgraduate in 2017, I wasn’t sure what to do next. I was having doubts about becoming a police officer. I enjoyed forensic psychology but if I were to take it any further, I would need to do another degree. At the time I also didn’t want to do a PhD. 

“Instead, I took a break and volunteered overseas for six months which is something I’d always wanted to do. I went to Zambia and led a team of 11 volunteers promoting sexual health education in rural areas of the country. 

“When I returned, I began applying for jobs in criminal justice but then I saw a graduate opportunity in Edinburgh Napier’s student recruitment team. I held this role for seven months and attended UCAS events around the country. It came so naturally to me because I love higher education, Edinburgh Napier and the city of Edinburgh. I really enjoyed that job and if I ever need a plan B I can see myself working in student recruitment.”

How did you end up doing a PhD?

“In late 2018, I decided to go ahead with my plan to join the police force despite my hesitation. I had just had an interview but then saw a post on social media from one of my former lecturers advertising a PhD opportunity. It was a 3-year funded post focusing on police education. 

“My main interest in criminology was the concept of reintegration after imprisonment but reading the PhD proposal made me realise that a person’s first contact with the police impacts the likelihood of them entering the criminal justice system in the first place. It was at this moment I realised I didn’t want to join the police, I wanted to improve policing, and doing this PhD might be the way to do it.”

Please tell us more about your PhD research.

“A year after starting my PhD I joined the police as a Special Constable which is a volunteer police offer. I had the best of both worlds. I was able to study how to improve policing but also get an understanding of what it’s like to be in uniform.

“My research looked at police learning and development within Police Scotland. How do police officers engage in learning and what are the gaps? Police training in Scotland traditionally involves three months of classroom-based learning and then the focus shifts to learning on the job. However, you need time to reflect on what you’re doing with someone who knows good practice otherwise you won’t learn from it. I’m currently working with Police Scotland to implement my findings into their Strategic Review of Training and Development.

“Making an impact is hugely rewarding. I chose this career because I want to instigate change. I want to make things better for people in society as well as help police officers receive more support.”

What is your current role? 

“After 10 years at Edinburgh Napier, in 2022 I moved to the University of Leeds to become a Research Fellow. I am based within the ESRC Vulnerability and Policing Research Centre which looks at how police engage with vulnerable groups. 

“I am currently working on multiple projects. For example, I’m involved in a project exploring preventative approaches to online child sexual victimisation (OCSV). Another project I’m involved in investigates domestic abuse perpetrators to understand what their vulnerabilities are and how they are addressed, because if we don't address why they're committing those crimes, we're not going to stop domestic abuse. I’m also working on a project in Bradford which maps the service provision for vulnerable populations in contact with the police in the area. 

Have you faced any challenges?

“Imposter syndrome is a huge hurdle. However, if I’ve learned anything it’s that even professors with 30 years of experience still get imposter syndrome. It helps to hear they still have it, but it's also annoying because I was hoping that it would go away!”