Melissa Henderson

Dr. Melissa Henderson is a Lecturer in Criminology and Sociology at the Department of Law and Criminology, Royal Holloway, University of London, where she has taught since 2018 after completing her PhD. Her work bridges criminology, sociology, and practical rehabilitation initiatives with regional community impact.

Her academic foundation includes:

• PhD in Criminology and Sociology, Royal Holloway, University of London (2017)
• MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Glasgow
• MA (Hons) in Sociology, University of Glasgow

Henderson's research critically examines female incarceration experiences, desistance pathways, and rehabilitative strategies through relational theory. She investigates prison relationships, familial connections, and trauma-informed mentoring while pioneering death education as a founding member of the Death Studies Group. Her sociological approach emphasizes structural and interpersonal dynamics within carceral environments.

Her 2022-2024 publications reveal a dual focus: peer mentoring's role in women's prison rehabilitation (analyzing power dynamics and trauma) and community-level employment strategies for vulnerable youth. These outputs demonstrate applied criminology addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals related to gender equality, decent work, and justice reform.

Melissa supervises undergraduate dissertations in Criminology and Sociology plus MA dissertations in Consumption, Culture and Marketing. She serves as Principal Investigator for the £25,000 Social Science Impact Accelerator grant "At the Crossroads" (2024-2025), developing cross-sectoral employment pathways for young people in West London.

As co-founder of the Death Studies Group, she leads interdisciplinary teaching and research initiatives including the Sociology of Death module (CR3036), creating academic frameworks for death literacy and end-of-life discourse.