My research is about the experiences of children and families who interact with family justice system, children's social care, and health and social care systems. I have a particular expertise in:  private and public family court proceedings;  children's experiences and outcomes in the context of domestic violence and abuse, and/or parental substance misuse; and children and families experiences of welfare (social care or health) interventions in the community. 

I have a broader interest and expertise in the sociology of childhood and application of children's rights into day-to-day life. Through my teaching roles, I have developed an interest in pedagogic research, specifically around improving the inclusivity of teaching to students in Higher Education.

Methodologically I have an expertise in accessing and analysing social care and family court casefile/archival data and conducting qualitative research with children and adults on issues such as violence, abuse and harm. 

I am currently Co-I on a Nuffield funded project The Forgotten 10% which is investigating the circumstances, experiences, and perspectives of children, families, and professionals in private law cases involving non-parents. From January 2026, I am also Co-I on an NIHR funded feasibility study Communication and Skills Intervention with Fathers (COSIE) with colleagues from Policy Studies and Bristol Medical School.  

Recently completed projects in 2025 include as co-PI on a project exploring Outcomes for Children Affected by Parental Imprisonment (the OCAPI project) with Professor Jo Staines, and as Co-I on a Brigstow funded project 'Ok to Play' exploring barriers to children's outdoor activities in their communities. 

Other previous studies include the  Discharge of Care Orders across England and Wales (Nuffield, Co-I) and the CARA project (Cautioning and Relationship Abuse project) which trialled awareness raising workshops for first time offenders of domestic violence and abuse (led by ARC Wessex, NIHR, Co-I). 

I am a co-editor of the Journal of Gender Based Violence, and member of Childhood, Law and Policy Network, and the BRIGHT research group based in the Bristol Medical School.