Division of Forensic Psychology

The Excellence in Forensic Psychology Practice Award replaces the Senior Practitioner Award.

We welcome nominations from or on behalf of Forensic Psychologists who have demonstrated excellence in practice.

Entry criteria

Nominations can be made either by or on behalf of a psychologist who conducts Forensic Psychology practice.

• The nominee must be a member of the Division of Forensic Psychology (DFP) and an HCPC registered psychologist
• The nominator can be anyone.

Assessment criteria

We will be assessing the extent to which the nominee has demonstrated excellence in Forensic Psychology Practice against the following areas:

• Context: Considerations of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and how the impact the work has made in this area.
• Evidence base: Quality of gathered information (theoretical/methodological basis/stakeholders/practitioners / organisational data).
• Impact: The extent to which their work has had an impact on individuals, organisations and stakeholders (for example contribution to learning).
• Visibility: The extent to which their work illustrates the value of Forensic Psychology.

Each criterion will be rated on a scale from 1-7 and a minimum of 16 points must be achieved in order to receive the award.

If no submissions of sufficient merit are received, no award will be made.

Guidance for nominations

You will need the following information:

Nominee information

(Q1) Nominee name

(Q2) Nominee BPS number

(Q3) Nominee institution

Nominator information

(Q4) Nominator name

(Q5) Nominator institution

(Q6) Nominator contact email address

You will also be asked to provide information in relation to the following questions:

(Q7) Please provide a summary of the nominee's work (max 300 words)

(Q8) Please describe how the work was influenced by or has impacted upon issues of equality, diversity and inclusion. 

(Q9) Please provide details of how they have developed the evidence for their approach (including theoretical or research basis, methodology, ethics) and how this demonstrates excellence in practice (max 300 words)

(Q10) Please provide details of how they delivered the project (including overcoming challenges, innovative practice) (max 300 words)

(Q11) Please outline the impact on the work (for example benefits for clients, end users, contribution to individual and organisational learning etc.) and how this has been evaluated (max 300 words)

How to apply

Submit a nomination

Nominations will close on 20 June 2024 at midnight.

Judging process

Awards will be judged by a panel of Forensic Psychologists from the Division of Forensic Psychology Committee.

The Award

The winners of these awards will be invited to attend the DFP2024 conference and receive their award in person.

They will also receive an e-certificate for their achievement.

The Excellence in Forensic Psychology Research Award replaces our previous Senior Academic Award.

We would like to welcome nominations for exceptional research which has had a significant impact in the field of Forensic Psychology, for example further research, practice and policy.

Please note that those within five years of their Doctorate Level research should consider the Excellence in Forensic Psychology Practice/Research (Early Career) Award.

Entry criteria

Nominations can be made either by or on behalf of an academic psychologist who conduct Forensic Psychology research.

• The nominee must be a member of the Division of Forensic Psychology (DFP)        
• The nominator can be anyone.

Assessment criteria

We will be assessing the extent to which the nominee has demonstrated excellence in Forensic Psychology research against the following areas:

• People, culture and context: The extent to which the work includes considerations of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and how the impact the work has made in this area.  Co-creation/co-produced work is included here as is the reach of the research; national, international, world leading etc.
• Contribution to knowledge and understanding in forensic psychology: details of the approach, robust design, quality research and how the work has extended the boundaries of knowledge or practice in forensic psychology.
• Engagement and impact: The consequences of the research to real life experiences of people connected with forensic psychology and the impact of the work (national, international, global impact). Each will be rated on a scale from 1-7 and a minimum of 16 points must be achieved in order to receive the award.

If no submissions of sufficient merit are received, no award will be made.

Guidance for nominations

You will need the following information:

Nominee information

(Q1) Nominee name

(Q2) Nominee BPS number

(Q3) Nominee institution

Nominator information

(Q4) Nominator name

(Q5) Nominator institution

(Q6) Nominator contact email address

You will also be asked to provide information in relation to the following questions:

(Q7) Please provide an overview of the research undertaken (including scope, topics etc.) (max 300 words)

(Q8) Please provide details of the considerations of people, culture and context of the research; including considerations of co-creation, the context within which the research has been undertaken and considerations of applicability and generalisability along with the reach of the research in terms described above. 

(Q9) Please provide details as to how the research had stretched the boundaries of forensic psychology knowledge or practice.  Include here also details about the rigour or robust design, quality and approach.

(Q10) Please provide details about the engagement and impact of this work to the real-life experiences of forensic psychology populations, practice or knowledge, including the range of impact (national, international, world-leading).

How to apply

Submit a nomination

Nominations will close on 20 June 2024 at midnight.

Judging process

Awards will be judged by a panel of Forensic Psychologists from the Division of Forensic Psychology Committee.

The Award

The winners of these awards will be invited to attend the DFP2024 conference and receive their award in person.

They will also receive an e-certificate for their achievement.

The Excellence in Forensic Psychology (Early Career) Award replaces the Junior Award of the DFP.

It celebrates the work of those who have qualified more recently.

We welcome nominations from or on behalf of Forensic Psychologists who have demonstrated excellence in practice early within their career. =

Early career in the context of this award means within 5 years of HCPC qualification or being awarded a PhD or equivalent if the award relates to research activity.

Entry criteria

Nominations can be made either by or on behalf of a Forensic Psychologist who has engaged in Forensic Psychology Practice or conduct Forensic Psychology research.

• The nominee must be a member of the Division of Forensic Psychology (DFP)
• The nominator can be anyone

Assessment criteria

We will be assessing the extent to which the nominee has demonstrated excellence in Forensic Psychology Practice or Research against the areas outlined below. As an early career award, it will be evaluated in this context:

• Context: Considerations of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and how the impact the work has made in this area
• Impact: The extent to which their practice/ research has had an impact on individuals, organisations, policy or stakeholders
• Science: The extent to which this person has produced robust, quality forensic practice or research
• Visibility: The extent to which their practice illustrates the value of Forensic Psychology or the extent to which their research has been disseminated to those within the field and outside of this (for example publishing record, conference or public presentations)

Each will be rated on a scale from 1-7 and a minimum of 16 points must be achieved in order to receive the award.

If no submissions of sufficient merit are received, no award will be made.

Guidance for nominations

You will need the following information:

Nominee information

(Q1) Nominee name

(Q2) Nominee BPS number

(Q3) Nominee institution

Nominator information

(Q4) Nominator name

(Q5) Nominator institution

(Q6) Nominator contact email address

You will also be asked to provide information in relation to the following:

(Q7) Please provide a summary of the nominee's work (max 300 words)

(Q8) Please describe how the work was influenced by or has impacted upon issues of equality, diversity and inclusion. 

(Q9) Please provide details of how they have developed the evidence for their approach (including theoretical or research basis, methodology, ethics) and how this demonstrates excellence in practice/ research (max 300 words)

(Q10) Please outline the impact on the work (for example benefits for clients, end users, contribution to individual and organisational learning etc.) and how this has been evaluated (max 300 words)

How to apply

Submit a nomination

Nominations will close on 20 June 2024 at midnight.

Judging process

Awards will be judged by a panel of Forensic Psychologists from the Division of Forensic Psychology Committee.

The Award

The winners of these awards will be invited to attend the DFP2024 conference and receive their award in person.

They will also receive an e-certificate for their achievement.

The Lifetime Contribution to Forensic Psychology Award replaces the Lifetime Achievement Award.

We welcome nominations on behalf of Forensic Psychologists and academic psychologists who conduct Forensic Psychology research and who have made an outstanding and sustained contribution professionally.

This might be through work which has had a significant impact on the public, in developing our understanding of psychology in work contexts or a substantial contribution to the Division.

Entry criteria

Nominations can be made either by or on behalf of DFP members. Where self-nominations are made, we require a supporting nominator.

The nominee must:

• Be a member of The Division of Forensic Psychology (DFP)
• Have made a significant and profound impact in the field of forensic psychology
• Have TWO nominators who can be anyone

Assessment criteria

We will be assessing the extent to which the nominee has made an outstanding and sustained contribution professionally.

They may have demonstrated leadership in professional society roles or within an academic or practice setting. Their impact may have been within the profession or across society and in government.

The following are examples of contexts in which you may have made a substantial contribution. These are not intended to be exhaustive or restrictive.

• Broadening participation in Forensic Psychology
• Contributed to a change in government policy
• Contributed to a societal change
• Contributed to raising standards
• Raising the profile of Forensic Psychology
• Significant and substantial contribution to the understanding of an area of Forensic psychology research/practice.
• Significant contribution to the BPS in a leadership role (e.g. trustee or committee leadership)
• Significant contribution to the DFP in a leadership role

Nominees will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Competence: The extent to which this person's work ensured that new and existing members of the profession have the required skill sets to function effectively in their roles/ensured standards of practice of those using Forensic Psychology methods.
• Employability: The extent to which this person has promoted opportunities for the employment of Forensic psychologists within diverse organisations.
• Influence: The extent to which this person has impacted guidance and insight for policymakers, organisations, individuals, and stakeholders when making policy decisions that is informed by Forensic psychology.
• Science: The extent to which this person has advanced knowledge or practice?
• Visibility: The extent to which this person has increased the visibility of Forensic Psychology and raised public awareness of its contribution to society.

Each will be rated on a scale from 1-7 and a minimum of 20 points must be achieved in order to receive the award.

If no submissions of sufficient merit are received, no award will be made.

Guidance for nominations

You will need the following information:

Nominee information

(Q1) Nominee name

(Q2) Nominee BPS number

(Q3) Please provide details on how the nominee/lead has achieved an advanced stage in their career or details if the nominee\lead has retired from such role (max 300 words)

Nominator 1 & 2 information

(Q4) Nominator name

(Q5) Nominator institution

(Q6) Nominator contact email address

You will also be asked to provide information in relation to the following questions:

(Q7) Please provide an overview of the contexts in which the nominee has made an outstanding contribution (max 300 words)

(Q8) Please provide details of what was done/achieved to make an outstanding contribution (max 300 words)

(Q9) Please provide an explanation of the impact of the work (max 300 words)

How to apply

Submit a nomination

Nominations will close on 20 June 2024 at midnight.

Judging process

Awards will be judged by a panel of Forensic Psychologists from the Division of Forensic Psychology Committee.

The Award

The winners of these awards will be invited to attend the DFP2024 conference and receive their award in person. They will also receive an e-certificate for their achievement

The Student Prize for Excellence in Forensic Psychology recognises postgraduate and doctoral level projects that have made a valuable contribution and / or potential real world impact to the field of Forensic Psychology.

Entry criteria

Nominations can be made either by or on behalf of an individual engaging in research as part of their postgraduate level study.  

• The nominee must

1. Be a member of Division of Forensic Psychology (DFP) and 
2. Be on a BPS accredited course
3. Be registered at a UK institution on a postgraduate course related to Forensic Psychology (including a Stage 2 accredited course) or have graduated within the last year

• The nominator can be anyone.

Assessment criteria

• Competence: The extent to which this person's work has demonstrated excellence in research methodology (for example using innovative techniques).
• Influence: The extent to which this person's research has contributed to knowledge, practice or policy.
• Science: The extent to which this person has produced quality research (for example gaining quality samples, addressing real world problems etc.).
• Visibility: The extent to which this person's research has demonstrated the value of Forensic Psychology?

Each will be rated on a scale from 1-7 and a minimum of 16 points must be achieved in order to receive the award.

If no submissions of sufficient merit are received, no award will be made.

Guidance for nominations

You will need the following information

Nominee information

(Q1*)Nominee name

(Q2*)Nominee institution

(Q3*)Nominee BPS number

(Q4*)Nominee course title

(Q5*)Please select one,

1. Currently a postgraduate student on an accredited course of study
2. Currently undertaking a Stage 2 qualification
3. Graduated

(Q6*)When did the nominee graduate?

Nominator information 

(Q7*)Nominator name

(Q8*)Nominator institution

(Q9*)Nominator contact email address

You will also be asked to provide information in relation to the following questions:

(Q10*)Project Supervisor name

(Q11*)Project Supervisor position / title

(Q12*)Project Supervisor academic institution

(Q13*)Project Supervisor email address

(Q14*)Please provide details of:

1. Name of project
2. Date project was completed
3. Institution where research was conducted

(Q15*)Please upload the project information (max 2,000 words).  Project information should cover the following areas:

• An overview of the project conducted
• An overview of the results found and the implications of these
• How the nominee dealt with ethical issues in their project
• The contribution provided to the field of Forensic psychology / potential real-world impact
• The methodology adopted and the rationale underpinning this decision 
• The theory underlining your project

How to apply

• Submit a nomination

Judging process

Awards will be judged by a panel of Forensic Psychologists from the Division of Forensic Psychology Committee. 

Nominations will close at midnight on Friday 15 April 2022.

The Awards

The presentation ceremony will be held on the opening day of Division of Forensic Psychology Annual Conference at the Divisional Awards Ceremony. The winner will:

1. Be invited to submit a poster presentation at the DFP conference this year
2. Receive a certificate
3. Receive an award

Expenses (maximum £150) and the one day conference admission will be covered.

DFP Excellence in Forensic Psychology Practice or Research - Early Career Award 2020

Caitlin Brown 

DFP Excellence in Forensic Psychology Practice Award  

Kerensa Hocking

DFP Excellence in Forensic Psychology Practice Award  

Siobhan Keating

Lifetime Achievement Award 

Adrian Needs 
Linda Blud

Excellence in Forensic Psychology – Research

Rebecca Milne

Award for Distinguished Contributions to Academic Knowledge in Forensic Psychology

2015: Graham Towl

Student Prize for Excellence in Forensic Psychology 

2019: Veronica Warn

Excellence in Forensic Psychology Practice or Research - Early Career Award

2019: Tamsin Higgs

Excellence in Forensic Psychology Practice Award

2019: Claire Bainbridge

Lifetime Contribution to Forensic Psychology

2019: Theresa Gannon

Excellence in Forensic Psychology Research Award

2019: Kevin Browne

Award for Distinguished Contributions to Professional Practice in Forensic Psychology

2018: Geraldine Akerman

2017: Ruby Bell

2016: Dawn Fisher

2015: Roisin Hall

2014: Jacqueline Bates-Gaston

Junior Award in Forensic Psychology for work of outstanding quality and innovation

2018: Louise Carter

2017: Helen Thomas

2016: Juliane Kloess

2015: Jennifer Bamford

2014: Jamie Walton

Sally is currently employed by HMPPS and located in the Midlands region. 

She has been a Chartered and Forensic Psychologist since 2001 and have over 21 years of experience working in forensic settings. Work settings include prisons, developing programmes for juveniles and adults, and training forensic practitioners in the UK and USA.  

Sally's areas of specialist interest are rehabilitative custodial environments, fire-setting and forensic risk assessment. 

Nic is a forensic psychologist and has experience working clinically with people who have committed serious offences.  Her specialism and research interests focus on criminal violence and the prevention of, treatment of and management of violence.

Nic's research was accepted within the Research Excellence Framework (REF), 2014 and the most recent REF of 2021. This means that at least 50% of her work was assessed as and judged to be either 'Internationally Excellent' or 'World Leading' and none of her work was rated as less than 'Internationally Recognised'.  

Nic has experience in directing clinical trials, in challenging environments (e.g. [prison settings) and undertaking some health economic outcomes (e.g. Bowes et al. 2014).  She works extensively with external partners to ensure her research is applied and has the potential to impact both policy and practice. 

She has undertaken more than 14 Knowledge Transfer projects which have provided several research (e.g. Bowes et al. 2012; McCarthy et al. 2011) and enterprise funding. Nic has successfully applied for various European funding applications, including a Horizon 2020 funded project which aimed to support young people and reduce the incidence of domestic violence in teenage relationships (www.lights4violence.eu). 

Nic has over 20 years experience of clinical experience, working with adults and young people who have committed serious violent offences. Many of the people Nic works with have experienced multiple Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and been exposed to traumatic events and these experiences are often functionally linked with their use of violence and aggression. 

As a result, people may present with a range of mental health difficulties, mental disorders, misuse substances, commit crimes and find it difficult to engage with services designed to support them.  Nic has extensive experience of working to overcome barriers to engagement and undertaken research in difficult environments in order to guide practitioners to work with those who most need the support of forensic psychology services.

Hon Professor Dr. Geraldine Akerman is a Consultant Chartered and Registered Forensic Psychologist. Geraldine has been worked in the Prison Service since 1998, largely for HMPPS and more recently for the NHS.

Geraldine has worked on the DFP committee as previous Editor and current reviewer of Forensic Update, Conference Lead, Chair and now Deputy Chair.

Geraldine has publications in the areas of sexual offending, father's in prison, therapeutic communities, mental health in prison, and compassion focussed the trauma informed practice.

Geraldine is Co-Editor of the Issue in Forensic Psychology book series. Geraldine is a visiting Lecturer at Cardiff Metropolitan University and the University of Birmingham.  

Karen Howell, C. Psychol. AFBPsS, CMger, is a Chartered Forensic Psychologist and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. She is also a Chartered Manager and a Fellow with the Chartered Management Institute.

Karen has worked as Head of Psychology and a member of the Senior Management Team at Chadwick Lodge Hospital for  over 10 years and worked as a Regional Psychologists for part of this period.

Karen has also worked as a Clinical Director for Psychology Projects, with a focus on recruitment, retention and professional development initiatives around the psychology professions. 

Karen has over 25 years' experience working in psychology and is a committee member of the Division of Forensic Psychology within the British Psychological Society.

She has clinical interests in personality disorder, managing challenging presentations including violence, sexual offending and arson, suicide awareness and prevention and has been a DBT team leader.

She has delivered masterclasses and university lectures on deliberate firesetting, personality disorder, sexual offending, suicide awareness and risk assessments amongst others. 

Dr Louise Bowers is a Health and Care Professions (HCPC) registered forensic psychologist and a British Psychological Society (BPS) chartered psychologist.

She has over 30 years of experience working as a forensic psychologist in a range of settings including, HM Prison Service, the Youth Justice Service, the Parole Board, the NHS, and private providers of secure and non-secure forensic services.

She has been a director of The Forensic Psychologist Service since 2005, and splits her time between: practice (assessment and treatment); being an expert witness; providing group and individual supervision; and working for her professional body.

Louise is an academic supervisor at Cardiff Metropolitan University, and she is the external examiner on the University of Birmingham forensic psychology practice doctorate.

She holds a MoJ contract to supervise trainee forensic psychologists working for HMPPS and she is one of the national trainers for the BPS expert witness training course.

Louise specialises in the assessment and treatment of individuals (including children) who have committed serious violent and sexual offences, and this is her primary area of research and practice. 

Martine Ratcliffe is a Registered and Chartered Forensic Psychologist who has worked within HM Prison Service for over 20 years. During this time, Martine has worked within the Young Adults and Male and Female Estates, offering Psychological Services dependant on need.

Martine is currently the Psychology Services Group National Diversity & Inclusion Lead. Martine is the Division of Forensic Psychology (DFP) Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Committee member and was on the BPS D&I Presidential taskforce until its term ended.

These roles help keep D&I on the agenda, challenge the status quo and strive for D&I being in every element of psychological practice.

Martin has been a Regional Lead Psychologist for HMPPS since 1999 and has worked in HMPS since 1988 across all population types as well as in HQ roles. He is the Research Lead Psychologist for HMPPS Psychology. 

Martin is currently on the BPS Ethics Committee and an Assessor for the Qualification in Forensic Psychology. In addition, for the Psychological Testing Committee he is Vice Chair for the Committee on Testing Standards, a Forensic Testing Verifier and also a member of the Diploma in Psychometric Testing Working Party.

Martin is Honorary Consultant and Forensic Psychologist within Southern Health Foundation Trust and a Honorary Lecturer in Forensic Psychology at Portsmouth University. Further he is Co-Chair of Prospect Trade Union representing Psychology and affiliated specialists employed by HMPPS.

Martin's areas of specialist interest are practitioner ethics and boundary management, psychometric testing, research design, violent and sexual offenders, transgender offenders, consulting in forensic practice; applying forensic practice in clinical settings.