Hannah Merdian

Doctor of Philosophy — University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand, 2012
Bachelor of Honours (Social Sciences) — University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand, 2007

I am a lecturer in Forensic Psychology at the University of Lincoln, with a research focus on child protection issues concerning online sex offending. Together with Prof Derek Perkins (Surrey University & West London Mental Health NHS Trust), I am research lead on onlinePROTECT (Pathways of Risk and Offender Typologies in the Exploitation of Children through Technology), a research and development programme that addresses the safety of children and young people in online and offline environments, by targeting the offenders who engage in online sex offences against minors. Our research is currently targeting those who view and produce Child Sexual Exploitation Material (CSEM). In summary, this multi-agency project is focused on (a) the aetiology and modus operandi of offenders who consume CSEM; (b) associated risk factors for CSEM reoffending / escalation into contact child sexual abuse; and (c) the effectiveness of, and barriers to therapeutic and systemic interventions designed to limit sexual offending against children.
I am a member of the British Psychological Society, the International Association for the Treatment of Sex Offenders, the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers and am sitting on the Research Comittee of the National Organisation for the Treatment of Abusers.