Helen Beckett

Dr. Helen Beckett serves as Director of the Safer Young Lives Research Centre at the University of Bedfordshire, under the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences. She specializes in child sexual exploitation (CSE), youth sexual violence, and ethical research methodologies. With a PhD in Ethnography of Youth Homelessness from Queen's University Belfast, she has held roles across academia, policy, and voluntary sectors.

Her research emphasizes participatory approaches with marginalized youth and bridges academic work with policy impact. She co-edits the Journal of Children's Services and advises on national policy forums. Key achievements include conceptualizing Contextual Safeguarding and leading projects on CSE responses in London and Northern Ireland.

Publications span over two decades, focusing on criminal justice reform, safeguarding frameworks, and youth rights. Her work has influenced UK statutory guidelines and local authority practices. She supervises doctoral students and teaches in professional doctorate programs.