On the 8-10th November 2023, the Division of Forensic Psychology held their annual conference in Belfast. Some members of the FCRG went along to the conference to present.
On the 8th Nov, Dr Phil Willmot gave a full workshop on “A trauma-informed approach to therapeutic boundaries in forensic settings” to forensic practitioners and researchers.
On the 9th Nov, Rachael Dagnall presented the emerging findings from an ESRC-funded project exploring the experience of those living and working in prison during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Elizabeth Deehan (who recently passed their PhD examination) presented the findings from one of her PhD studies in a talk entitled “How do people who are interested in somnophilia understand and view consent?“
Prof Todd Hogue and Dr Lauren Smith have had an article published with a previous MSc Forensic Psychology student (Niamh Reeson) that reports qualitative findings from a study examining the perceptions of effectiveness in those working within ARC (Assisting Rehabilitation through Collaboration) in Lincolnshire. From interview data, six key themes were generated relating to the perceived effectiveness of ARC; the ARC Cohort; ARC staff; barriers; outcomes; partnerships; and the wider policing staff.
Reeson, N., Smith, L., & Hogue, T. E. (2023). A Thematic Analysis of the Effectiveness of The Assisting Rehabilitation through Collaboration (ARC) Programme. The Police Journal, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/0032258X231211478.
On Oct 11th 2023, Dr Ross Bartels gave an invited talk at the 4th DISPAX World conference on Unruly Airline Passenger Management & Restraint. This two-day conference explored the causes of disruptive behaviour on aircrafts, the responses available, and the legal issues. Speakers and delegates included aircrew, regulatory authorities, industry associations, and law enforcement.
Ross’ talk was entitled “Understanding Frotteurism & Toucherism: Paraphilia in the Aircraft Cabin“, in which he discussed the prevalence of in-flight sexual offences, the potential role of frotteurism and toucherism, the facilitatory factors, and possible prevention methods. The talk was well-received and opened up important lines of conversation afterwards.
On the 5th October, Dr Phil Willmot presented at the BPS Division of Forensic Psychology Scotland on “Trauma-informed Forensic Practice: Challenges and Opportunities”.
On Friday 29th September, Dr Lauren Smith, Dr Niko Kargas, and Rachael Mason (FCRG member from Health and Social Care) delivered a session to the HMPPS Insights Festival on the project (led by Niko Kargas) entitled ‘Meeting the Needs of Autistic Adults and Adults with Learning Disability in Midlands Prisons’.
The session was attended by 80 HMPPS staff, predominantly psychologists.
Also, on Thursday 5th October, Lauren contributed to a session on the HMPPS Insights Festival (led by The Howard League) on crime and gambling harms. She talked about the work developed in HMP Lincoln to address gambling-related harms. The HMP Lincoln ‘whole prison approach’ was developed in response to findings from research by Lauren, as well as by Prof Amanda Roberts
