Jo Curtis

I am a Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, involved with both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. My main research interests are in crime and policing, particularly police-civilian interactions and relationships.

Biography

I have a varied background, with experience in a range of research areas related to Forensic Psychology, but have also spent time in practice, travelling, and even farming.

Having spent nearly two and a half years as a Forensic Psychologist in Training, I chose to return to academia and was very happy to join University of Gloucestershire in March 2024.

Areas of interest include offence perpetration, suspect interviews, investigations, police misconduct and biases, community policing, procedural justice, and policing by consent.

I am currently also completing a PhD on torture by states who condemn it, with a focus on the individual and social aspects of perpetration.

Qualifications

PhD (Ongoing) Criminology – The Paradoxical Persistence of Torture in States Who Condemn It
MSc (2018) Forensic Psychology – Interview Strategies with Suspects of Sexual Offences against Children and Adults
MSc (2013) Psychology – The Public Perception and Subjective Efficacy of Community Justice Courts

Membership of professional bodies

British Psychological Society GMBPsS, Division of Forensic Psychology, Division of Academics, Researchers & Teachers in Psychology

Teaching & Research

Research

Psychologically informed public policy and policing
Social Justice; civil and human rights violations, (in)equality, prejudice, torture, ethics
Investigative strategies including optimal information-gathering at interview, lead generation, investigation of typically ‘challenging’ offences
Public Protection; risk assessment, intervention, signposting, management
Criminal Justice; evidential testing and evaluation, case-building, protection of innocent suspects and victims.

Subject Areas

Helpful Links