Dr Emma Barrowcliffe

I have been teaching at CCCU since 2017. My MSc and PhD in Forensic Psychology were both awarded from the University of Kent. I studied a BSc in Psychology at the University of Sunderland and Valdosta State University in Georgia, USA.

My research experience relates to Forensic Psychology and predominantly focusses on developing an understanding of the prevalence and characteristics of people who engage in deliberate firesetting. In addition to teaching and research, I deliver specialist training to Fire and Rescue Services to improve the understanding and aid in the prevention of deliberate firesetting behaviour. I was also involved in a joint project between the University of Kent and the NHS relating to assessing fire interest using virtual reality technology.

I have a variety of work experience relating to both general Psychology and specifically Forensic Psychology. For example, I have worked in mental health hospitals, been a youth worker, worked in pupil referral units, and was a manager for the Probation Service. I am also a qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist. I am a Graduate Member of the British Psychology Society and have Senior Fellowship of the Advance HE.

I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and convene, teach and mark across a range of modules at different levels and across both undergraduate and postgraduate psychology courses. My teaching expertise lies particularly in the areas of Forensic psychology and criminology.  

I supervise a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate research projects relating to mental health and offending behaviour, serial killers, victimology, forensic psychology and the criminal justice system.

My research experience relates to Forensic Psychology and predominantly focusses on developing an understanding of the prevalence and characteristics of people who engage in deliberate firesetting. Research has typically related to apprehended populations with limited knowledge relating to community-based individuals.

Therefore, the focus of my research relates to researching unidentified/un-apprehended deliberate firesetters who have not come to the attention of the authorities.  I am also researching topics relating to women’s lived experiences of abuse.

Presentations and External Training

Virtual European Association of Psychology and Law ‘Understanding and Intervening with Deliberate Firesetting: Developments and New Directions in Research and Practice’ August 2021.

Graduate Research Symposium 'Psychological and offence characteristics of un-apprehended firesetters living in the UK' University of Kent, May 2016.

Psychology Graduate Research Symposium, 'Prevalence and characteristics of un-apprehended firesetters living in the UK' University of Kent, Sept 2014.

Psychology Graduate Research Symposium,'Prevalence and characteristics of un-apprehended UK firesetters, Poster' University of Kent, Sept 2013.

Graduate Research Festival, 'Firesetting in the general population, Poster' University of Kent, June 2013.

Centre of Research & Education in Forensic Psychology Launch, 'Firesetting in the general population' University of Kent, Sept 2011.

FIPP & FIP-MO Training – The Firesetting Intervention Programme (FIPP) and the Firesetting Intervention Programme for Mentally Disordered Offenders (FIP-MO) are the first standardised intervention for individuals with who deliberately ignite fires. It was developed as part of a joint project by the Centre of Research and Education in Forensic Psychology (University of Kent) and Kent Forensic Psychiatry Service (Kent and Medway NHS Social Care Partnership Trust) and is underpinned by the Multi-Trajectory Theory of Adult Firesetting. I deliver training for Fire and Rescue personnel contributing to the fire safety element of the treatment programmes.

Organisational Memberships

SFHEA – Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Graduate Member of The British Psychology Society

Member of IFIRE (the International Association of Firesetting Intervention Research and Education). A professional organisation dedicated to research, education, and evidence-based practice in the area of deliberate firesetting.