Emma Alleyne

Dr. Emma Alleyne is a Reader in Forensic Psychology at the University of Kent, where she also serves as Director of Graduate Studies (Taught). She is a BPS Forensic Psychology Trainee for Kent Forensic Psychiatry Services and a member of the SharkLab research group. Her work focuses on the social, psychological, and behavioral factors underlying aggressive behaviors, particularly animal cruelty, gang involvement, and firesetting.

Education:

• BSc (Honours) in Psychology, McMaster University
• MSc and PhD in Forensic Psychology, University of Kent

Research interests include:

• Understanding animal abuse as an outcome of empathy deficits, emotion regulation issues, and moral disengagement
• Psychological and behavioral differentiation between gang members and non-gang youth
• Gender-specific features of female firesetters and their treatment needs
• Development of proclivity scales for animal abuse and multiple-perpetrator rape

Article trends show a focus on systematic reviews, validation of assessment tools, and comparative studies of offenders. Her work spans forensic psychology, criminology, and behavioral analysis, with recurring themes of empathy, regulatory processes, and social dominance theory.

Scientific awards and grants include

• Leverhulme Trust International Academic Fellowship (2019)
• Petplan Charitable Trust grant (2017)
• Police and Crime Commissioner for Cumbria grant (2017-2019) as Co-I
• Multiple internal grants from the University of Kent (2014-2015)

Advising and collaborations involve current PhD students Ana Figueira and Isabella Pellien, and past student Charlotte Parfitt (thesis on adult-perpetrated animal abuse). She has co-authored works with researchers like Tamara Gannon and Cláudia Ó Ciardha.

Professional roles include Associate Editor for Society & Animals and contributions to policy and practice through research reports and clinical tool development.