Rebecca Lievesley

Dr Rebecca Lievesley is an Associate Professor in Psychology at Nottingham Trent University's School of Social Sciences, serving as Course Leader for the Doctorate in Forensic Psychology (DPsych) and co-leader of the Harm and Stigma Prevention in Forensic Psychology (HASP-FP) Research Group. Having joined NTU in 2010 as a Research Assistant, she progressed through Research Fellow and Lecturer roles before promotion to Associate Professor in 2023.

Education

• PhD (part-time) completed during research fellowship at Nottingham Trent University

Research Focus

Her work centers on two primary strands: (1) Minor Attracted Persons (MAPs), employing mixed-methods approaches to examine wellbeing, sexual abuse prevention, and professional attitudes; and (2) Sex Dolls, investigating psychological motivations and behavioral implications to inform evidence-based policy. Earlier research focused on sexual offending, rehabilitation, resettlement, and desistance among convicted populations.

Grants and Collaborations

• Funding secured from NOTA, Ministry of Justice, HMPPS, and NHS England
• Collaborations with prison establishments (HMP Whatton, HMP Nottingham, HMP Grendon), Rampton Secure Hospital, police/probation services, NHS England, and charities (Circles UK, Rethink Mental Illness, NSPCC, Lucy Faithful Foundation)
• Academic partnerships with Helen Swaby (Bishop Grosseteste University) and Gilian Tenbergen (SUNY)

Professional Activities

Co-founder of the multi-award-winning Safer Living Foundation charity, provider of consultancy services to correctional institutions, and supervisor of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students across forensic psychology specializations.