- Criminal Investigative and Forensic Research - CIFR
- Centre for Psychological Sciences
About me
I am Reader in Suicide Prevention in the Department of Psychology. Since 2011 I have collaborated with organisations and industries to understand the contexts in which suicides occur and inform tailored, evidence-based prevention strategies, guidelines and initiatives. My work has shaped professional training and informed policy on suicides in high-risk public and private settings.
My research explores suicide in diverse contexts including probation, railways, highways, coastal locations, universities, and other public spaces. I work from multiple perspectives; incorporating insights from people with lived experience, professionals, and members of the public who have witnessed or intervened in suicide attempts.
My 2021 REF impact case study on Suicide Prevention in Probation and Transport Settings demonstrates how my work has changed practice, underpinned major public campaigns such as Samaritans’ Small Talk Saves Lives, and shaped prevention guidance.
Teaching
I bring my research directly into the classroom, embedding real-world challenges into undergraduate and postgraduate learning. I co-lead the MSc module Forensic Data Analysis: Real-World Applications and lead the BSc Psychology module Psychological Research in Practice. I have previously led or contributed to modules in developmental psychology and forensic psychology.
I supervise PhD and Professional Doctorate students working on topics such as desistance from crime, borderline personality disorder, and self-harm in higher education. I have examined over 11 doctoral theses.
Research
My research addresses the contexts, behaviours, and decision making processes associated with suicide, particularly in high-risk locations. I have generated research funding in excess of £1.6 million, and am currently leading a large NIHR funded project evaluating the effectiveness of smart suicide surveillance technologies (see the QUESST Project and The QUESST website).
Example research funding
2025 - Understanding what enables help-seeking behaviour in people considering taking their own life at high-frequency locations. The Samaritans (PI), £33, 680.37
2023 - Effectiveness of surveillance technologies to prevent suicides in public spaces, NIHR (PHR) (Chief Investigator, Co-PI Marzano Middlesex University) £1,120,196.70
2022 - Voice to the voiceless: understanding disclosure and help-seeking in Black and Asian male survivors of sexual violence, The British Academy (Co-I, PI Widanaralalage) £9,934
2021 - Factors Deterring and Promoting the Decision to Attempt Suicide at Coastal Locations: A Multi-Methodological Analysis, Public Health and East Sussex County Council (Co-I, PI Marsh Canterbury Christchurch University), £25,000
2020 - Factors Deterring and Prompting the Decision to Attempt Suicide on England’s Strategic Road Network: A Multi-Methodological Analysis. National Highways (Co-I, PI Marzano Middlesex University), £116,200
2018 - Life-Saving Interventions at Railway Locations, Network Rail (Co-I, PI Marzano Middlesex University) £131,100
2018 - ‘Understanding the needs of those supporting students who self-harm: What can we do to help?’ The Sir Halley Stewart Trust (Co-I, PI Smyth), £58,907
2017 - University students who self-harm: what can we do to help? The British Academy (PI), £9841
2017 - Saving Lives: New Approaches to Suicide and Self-harm Prevention in Probation Settings. The Sir Halley Stewart Trust (PI), £5000
2015 - Why do people choose to end their lives on the railways? Network Rail (Co-I, PI Marzano Middlesex University), £116,786
2011 - Understanding Suicidal Behaviours by Offenders Serving Community Based Sentences. The Sir Halley Stewart Trust (PI), £2600
Publications
For details of all my research outputs, visit my WestminsterResearch profile.