I have a PhD in Public International Law in which I analysed the development of the right to self-determination between 1945 and 1961 from a diplomatic history and law and literature perspective. However, since 2010 I have undertaken research focusing on emotional labour. Although my main interest lies in the emotional labour performed by probation practitioners, I have also undertaken research into the emotional labour of solicitors, judges, and criminological researchers. I have also researched more broadly studying empathy in legal practice and emotions in the legal drama The Split. My research in probation practice has also focused on work/life spillover, self-disclosure, working in the COVID pandemic, implementing a reflective supervision model, professional curiosity, and burnout.

I am currently leading a SHRIF funded project studying the emotional labour and boundary spanning work of probation and prison staff.