Dr Faye Horsley is a registered forensic psychologist with over 15 years of experience working within the criminal justice system. Faye has worked in adult prisons and forensic hospitals ranging from high to low security, as well as with young people and forensic service users in the community. As a practitioner Faye specialises in the assessment of sexually violent and violent offenders, including those convicted of arson. Faye's research expertise is arson and firesetting. She completed her Ph.D at Durham University in January 2020. Her thesis is entitled Arson Reconceptualised: the Continuum of Fire Use. Faye joined Northumbria University as a senior lecturer in psychology in December 2021.
Faye's main research interest is the psychological and social significance of fire, and human interaction with fire. This is based on her own conceptualisation of fire use as a dimensional construct, ranging from non-criminalised to criminalised behaviour. Faye employs qualitative and quantitative methods to explore factors which influence how people engage with fire, and the beliefs/ attitudes they hold towards it. Faye draws upon interdisciplinary perspectives in her work, and has a particular interest in the social construction of fire and the influence of culture. As a practitioner forensic psychologist, the focus of Faye's work is arson reduction and prevention. She recently took the lead on a project exploring deliberate firesetting in the North East of England, commissioned by North East Fire and Rescue Services (FRS). She continues to collaborate with FRS colleagues.
Niamh McNally Start Date: 01/03/2025
Psychology PhD January 31 2020
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