• United Kingdom

    Accepting PhD Students

    PhD projects

    I am available to supervise PhD students across the field of language and law / forensic linguistics, broadly defined. I am particularly interested in supervising projects relating to spoken discourse in institutional contexts, especially investigative interviewing. Please feel free to contact me to discuss.

    Personal profile

    Contact Details

    Room: N912
    Email: [email protected]

    Biography

    I am currently Director of the research centre for Spoken Interaction in Legal Contexts (SILC), part of Aston's Institute for Forensic Linguistics. Prior to my academic career I was a barrister, and practised civil and criminal law before moving to the Parliamentary Counsel Office, Whitehall, where I worked as part of a small team of specialist lawyers responsible for drafting primary legislation. Combining long-standing interests in both language and law, I completed an MA in Applied Linguistics and subsequently a PhD on police interviewing at the University of Nottingham, before joining Aston's Centre for Forensic Linguistics in 2009. My research interests include all aspects of language and communication in legal contexts, especially spoken interaction and the use of language data as evidence, focusing particularly on investigative interviews. Drawing on my own professional background, I retain a keen interest in strengthening links between research and professional practice, and I provide training based on my research to several organisations, including police forces.

    Since 2013 I work part-time at Aston, and am available on Tuesdays to Thursdays only.

    Research Interests

    Language and law, especially investigative interviews; spoken interaction, especially in institutional contexts; language as evidence; (critical) discourse analysis; forensic linguistics; institutional discourse. 

    Membership of Professional Bodies

    Fellow of the Higher Education Authority (HEA)

    British Association for Applied Linguistics (BAAL)

    International Association for Forensic and Legal Linguistics (IAFLL) 

    International Investigative Interviewing Research Group (iIIRG)

    The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple

    Research Projects/Collaborations

    'For the Record': A pilot study applying linguistics to improve evidential consistency in police investigative interview records. PI, with co-Is Dr Emma Richardson, Dr Felicity Deamer, Dr James Tompkinson.  Funded via Research England's 'Expanding Excellence in England' (E3) Fund, 2019-2022.

    Police Interview Databank: Development of a police interview data resource for research, to be hosted in FoLD, AIFL's forensic linguistic databank. 2021-.

    'Language and Communication for Police Interviewers': Training, Evaluation and Development. With Dr Nicci MacLeod; in collaboration with South Yorkshire, Sussex and Greater Manchester Police. Funded by the British Association for Applied Linguistics (BAAL), 2012-14.

    Administrative Roles

    Director, Centre for research on Spoken Interaction in Legal Contexts (SILC), Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics, 2019-

    Director of Postgraduate English & member of English Management Group, 2016-19

    Programme Director, MSc Forensic Linguistics (distance learning), 2014-19

    Programme Director, MA Applied Linguistics, 2011-12

    Teaching Activity

    I have taught on numerous programmes at Aston, including BSc English Language, MA Forensic Linguistics, MSc Forensic Linguistics (distance learning), MA Applied Linguistics, MA TESOL. I have also supervised dissertations at UG and PG level. My taught modules have included:

    Undergraduate

    • The Language of the Law
    • Language as Evidence
    • Introduction to English Language: Social Applications

    Postgraduate

    • Linguistics in Legal Contexts 
    • Introduction to Forensic Linguistics 
    • Practical Applications in Forensic Linguistics
    • Spoken Language in the Legal System 
    • Analysing Written and Spoken Discourse 
    • Research Methods 

    Qualifications

    2013: PG Certificate in Professional Practice (Higher Education), Aston University.

    2004-8: Ph.D.: ‘An analysis of police interview discourse and its role(s) in the judicial process’, University of Nottingham.

    2003-4: MA Applied Linguistics, University of Nottingham – with Distinction.

    1998-9: PG Diploma in Professional Legal Skills (Bar Vocational Course), The Inns of Court School of Law/ City University, London.

    1997-8: PG Diploma in Law (CPE), The College of Law, Chester. With Commendation.

    1995-6: Master of Studies (M.St.) Greek and Latin Languages and Literature, Magdalen College, Oxford.

    1992-5: BA Hons Classical Studies, First Class, The University of Liverpool.

    Awards

    ESRC Studentship for PhD, Nottingham University, 2004-7 (PTA-030-2004-00907).

    Harmsworth Scholarship, Hon. Soc. of the Middle Temple, for the Bar Vocational Course, Inns of Court School of Law, 1998. 

    Harmsworth Scholarship, Hon. Soc. of the Middle Temple, for the Common Professional Examination, College of Law, 1997. 

    British Academy Studentship, MSt Greek and Latin Language and Literature, Magdalen College, Oxford, 1995.

    Education/Academic qualification

    PG Cert, Professional Practice (Higher Education)

    20112013

    Award Date: 1 Jul 2013

    PhD, An analysis of police interview discourse and its role(s) in the judicial process., University of Nottingham

    Oct 2004Sept 2008

    Award Date: 1 Jul 2009

    MA, Applied Linguistics, University of Nottingham

    Oct 2003Sept 2004

    Award Date: 1 Jul 2004

    PG Dip, Legal Professional Skills (Bar Vocational Course), City University

    Sept 1998Jul 1999

    Award Date: 1 Sept 1999

    PG Dip, Law (Common Professional Examination), University of Law

    Sept 1997Jul 1998

    Award Date: 1 Jul 1998

    Master of Studies (MSt) Greek and Latin Languages and Literature, Oxford University

    Sept 1995Sept 1996

    Award Date: 1 Sept 1996

    BA, Classical Studies, University of Liverpool

    Oct 1992Jul 1995

    Award Date: 1 Jul 1995

    External positions

    Assistant Parliamentary Counsel

    Sept 2001Aug 2003

    Barrister, Oriel Chambers, Liverpool

    Sept 1999Aug 2001

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