Graham Towl

Professor Graham Towl is a Professor of Forensic Psychology at Durham University. He has been appointed as the Chair of the Prison and Offender Research in Social Care and Health (PORSCH) network, a regional collaboration focused on improving offender health and reducing reoffending. His career spans academia, government service, and clinical practice, including roles as Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Colleges and Student Experience at Durham (2011–2016) and Chief Psychologist at the Ministry of Justice (2005–2008). He is an expert on prison suicide, equity, and sexual violence in universities.

Research Interests include forensic psychology, offender rehabilitation, prison health, gender-based violence, and sexual harassment. His work bridges clinical practice, policy, and academic research, with a focus on health and justice systems.

Scientific Awards

• British Psychological Society Award for Distinguished Practice
• British Psychological Society Award for Distinguished Contributions to Forensic Psychological Knowledge

In his current role, Prof Towl chairs the Scottish Advisory Panel on Offending and Rehabilitation and teaches modules on criminological psychology and psychological practice at Durham. He is co-editing a forthcoming book on offender health with Clarissa DiSantis and working on a 4th edition of the Forensic Psychology textbook with David Crighton.