Becky Thompson

Dr Becky Thompson is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Nottingham Trent University. Her research focuses upon household burglary, anti-social behaviour (ASB) and police-academic collaboration. Much of this involves working with external partners, for example the East Midlands Policing Academic Collaboration (EMPAC).

Becky has worked in the Sociology Department since 2015. She graduated with a PhD in Criminology from Nottingham Trent University in 2014. She was awarded an MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Loughborough University in 2009, having graduated from there with an undergraduate degree in Criminology and Social Policy in 2008.

Prior to her PhD, Becky worked for Leicestershire Constabulary (with a specific remit around crime reduction and community safety) before being awarded a Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship to undertake doctoral study. Since her PhD, she has held research positions at a number of academic institutions. This involved carrying out policing-related research and working closely with public and voluntary sector partners.

Becky’s research focuses upon household burglary, ASB and police-academic collaboration. Much of this involves working alongside external partners, for example the East Midlands Policing Academic Collaboration (EMPAC). She has been awarded research funding from a number of sources, including the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

Becky was a Research Assistant on an ESRC-funded project entitled 'Which burglary security devices work for whom and in what context?'. This project involved working alongside Professor Andromachi Tseloni (Principal Investigator), Professor Graham Farrell, Professor Nick Tilley and Dr Louise Grove. It utilised data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales and expert advice from an advisory committee (made up of local and national stakeholders) to assess the effectiveness of security devices in protecting against household burglary. This work has informed both local and national policy relating to burglary security.

In addition, Becky is the Principal Investigator for another ESRC Secondary Data Analysis Initiative grant which seeks to answer ‘who experiences ASB and in what context?’ She also coordinated the successful EMPAC bid to the College of Policing, Higher Education Funding Council for England and Home Office Police Knowledge Fund. This involved 19 partners, including five police forces, five Police and Crime Commissioners and seven universities.