Forensic Research Nottingham Summer Symposium

Evidence-led practice, priorities and influencing policy in prison and forensic mental health service research

Forensic and prison mental health services are important, complex and resource intensive. There are challenges to conducting research in these settings, and the amount of research that is undertaken is out of keeping with the need. It is essential therefore to understand what the clinical priorities are for research, adopt pragmatic and innovative research methods, and do so in a way that makes a meaningful impact on policy and the care provided in such settings. In this symposium we will discuss these themes, consider the future and hear from some clinical and research leaders in the field. 

Ticket sales are now closed.

Ticket costs:

£50: Full price

£30: FRN Group members (non-NottsHC employee)

£30: Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust staff

£20: Student

(This is an in-person event and will not be recorded or available to watch live online)

In this symposium, we will take a deep dive into some of the big questions that inform, or should inform, our everyday practice. 

Event programme:

Professor Pamela Taylor speaking on the impact of prison staffing on the mental state of people in prison – the role of opportunistic research. 

Pamela is Professor of Forensic Psychiatry at Cardiff University and past Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Forensic Psychiatry Faculty. She is Vice Chair of the charity Crime in Mind, cofounder of the Ghent Group of European forensic psychiatrists, Editor of the journal Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, and a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

Dr Mayura Deshpande speaking on the challenges of anchoring policy in evidence and the priorities for the future of the secure pathway. 

Mayura is a consultant in forensic psychiatry and the National Specialty Advisor in secure care to NHS England. She is chair of the Adult Secure Clinical Reference Group and works with clinicians and commissioners to advise NHS England on matters to do with inpatient low, medium and high secure forensic services and community forensic services.

Dr Simon Hackett speaking on psychological interventions for aggression in secure care.

Simon is based at Newcastle University as a Clinical-Academic Allied Health Professional (AHP) and currently holds a five-year NIHR Advanced Clinical Academic Fellowship (ACAF). He works clinically for Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust as a Consultant Arts Psychotherapist in Secure Care and Trust-wide lead for Arts Psychotherapies.

About Forensic Research Nottingham (FRN):

Forensic Research Nottingham (FRN) is a research group based at the Institute of Mental Health with links to Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Nottingham.

The group’s members include researchers in neuroscience, clinical and epidemiological psychiatry, clinicians working in forensic settings, and academics in multiple related fields including criminology, health and justice, and human rights.