Anna Bussu

I am Lecturer in Psychosocial Analysis of Offending Behaviour and lecturer and module leader of Women and Girls Offending; Rehabilitation and Treatment of offenders; and Communication skills at the Faculty of Health and Social Care of Edge Hill University. I am also actively researching on forensic and social psychology.

I have been studying and teaching Psychology for more than 14 years. In 2003, I completed my MSc in Science of Education from the University of Sassari; Italy (awarded first class honours). My dissertation was on social psychology implementing empirical research on social and pathological gambling. In 2013, I graduated with a Degree in Psychology from the University of Chieti “Gabriele d’ Annunzio” (Italy). My dissertation focused on Counselling and Wellbeing Services for university students.
Following a Master in Forensic Criminology at the University La Sapienza in Rome (2004/05) and a Master in Personal and Business Coaching (2005/2007) (Fedro, Rome) recognized by the International Coach Federation in 2009, I completed my Ph.D at the University of Sassari (2006/2009), presenting a thesis in Forensic Psychology.
During my postdoctoral fellowships (2009-2012) and assistant professorship (2012-2016) at the University of Sassari (Italy), my research activities, as
documented by several research papers, have focused on:
1. Deviance and Crime, Criminal justice and Governance: restorative justice, community justice, restorative practices in the University context, behaviours at risk of delinquency, suicide prevention, interinstitutional mediation and governance. I have several publications in Italian, English and Spanish, focussing on social psychology and forensic psychology in more than 40 international conferences.
2. Training and Vocation: career guidance and vocational training; training; active learning; counselling and coaching; prevention of drop out; and training requirement of the Judicial Police.
3. Well-being and Quality of Life: prevention of pathological gambling; promotion of social gambling; promoting the well-being in the University; prevention of risky behaviour (suicide, morbidity and co-occurring morbidity).
Additionally, between 2010 and 2015, I worked part time as a research coordinator and life coach at the Centre of the Counselling and Coaching Service at the University of Sassari. Having the opportunity to do coaching (In person or by skype; individual and in team) with a large number of students from all Faculties of the University of Sassari (Italy) was a really important and significant experience in my career. I have also implemented projects and training to support social reintegration and employability of disadvantages categories, in particular offenders, ex-offenders, people with mental health problems, rehabilitation and employability.

As a coach, I have supported the students to address several needs: methodologies of study and self-management; problems with anxiety and stress; social anxiety and emotional management; problems with family, friends or intimate relationships and special needs (dysgraphia, dyscalculia, autism etc).
During the last 7 years, I have been responsible for leading, managing and organising university modules. Specifically, I have designed and delivered lectures, seminars and workshops on Andragogic Education; Social Psychology; Forensic Psychology; Occupational Psychology; and Coaching and Learning Skills to stimulate learning and welfare of students; Psychology of Communication Processes & Quantitative and Qualitative Methodology at the bachelor, MSc and PhD levels. From January 2013 to November 2015, I was a Member of the working group on “Quality Assurance of teaching” (Bachelor's degree in Sciences of Communication - University of Sassari). The working group developed activities to prevent students dropping out university and to offer them support. I was a member of the working group on “Self Evaluation Report” (2014-2015) to evaluate the impact of activities that were promoted by the Faculty to support the students. In addition, I have developed my skills and knowledge needs as a teacher in social and forensic psychology, through work experiences in several job contexts link to justice system, and social services. From 2004, as an expert in forensic psychology, I have undertaken consultative work; provided training; teaching and conducted research activities, specifically in relation to research projects on restorative justice; young offenders; and victims of crime.
In 2015, I won an international Prometeo Scholarship to promote high level of teaching and research in Ecuador (see section of Professional Attributes).
From September 2016 to date, I have been a full time, permanent lecturer in Psychosocial Analysis of Offending Behaviour at the Faculty of Health and Social Care at Edge Hill University.