Forensic Operational Research Group-Exchange (FORGE)
The Forensic Operational Research Group-Exchange (FORGE) exists to provide a forum for researcher-practitioner exchange, to inspire collaboration and innovation, and to impact on operational practice in criminal justice and clinical forensic settings.
We aim to ‘forge’ new collaborations and in particular new pathways to resolution of operational problems, by understanding and creating, testing, learning and adapting, and re-testing researched solutions. In doing so we will be a hub for practice-based forensic psychological research on the south coast.
Our research
Our research advances society by improving engagement with and effectiveness of services for users and the general public. The knowledge gains we're making will assist in practitioner training/supervision, policy advice, and wider service delivery.
Problems tackled by FORGE include disengagement, breach, and re-offending by people subject to interventions or supervision by forensic services. These problems exist partly due to operational challenges in assessment, management and interventions with troubled service users.
This problem exists due to inadequate understanding of the development and maintenance of antisocial behaviour, and the mass use of imprisonment, poor prison conditions, and policies of deterrence rather than rehabilitation.
FORGE will be a hub for researcher-practitioner exchange, and we strive to impact directly on operational services, reducing the divide between research and practice and assisting with the professional development of its members.
Research by group members can have economic and social impact – a recent example is our work around digital technology for prisoners, which highlighted how such access reduces prison administrative costs by increasing prisoner autonomy, and assists social connectedness by enhancing opportunities for prisoners and their families to maintain contact (see McDougall & Pearson, 2020).
Group members
Our partners
FORGE has ongoing partnerships with the following organisations and entities – each of which supports the University in its mission to make a difference to the world through transformative education, research, and innovation:
Portsmouth City Council domestic abuse services - since 2016 we've collaborated on the design, monitoring and evaluation of intervention to prevent abuse in intimate partner and family relationships
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service firesetter interventions - since 2017, we've been collaborating to enhance innovation and development of the Firesetters' Responsive Educational Programme (FIRE-P)
Care after Combat third-sector organisation supporting veterans - since 2013 we've collaborated in connection with the Phoenix Programme
Together for Mental Wellbeing - we've been collaborating since 2017 as a placement provider for trainee psychologists
The British Psychological Society - Partnering in the delivery of academic programmes since their inception, our members have had prominent roles on the training committee responsible for programme accreditation
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (Hampshire) - collaborating to provide research placements since 2018 for MSc Forensic Psychology students
Recent outputs
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Client retention in community treatment: completer and noncompleter experiences of an individualized, needs-based partner abuse intervention program
Pearson, Dominic A. S.; Steward, Chloe D.; Ford, Amy K. In: Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 17.02.2020.
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Making sense of the dark: a study on the identity of men who committed homicide
Ferrito, Martha; Needs, Adrian; Jingree, Treena; Pearson, Dominic. In: Journal of Forensic Psychology: Research and Practice, Vol. 20, No. 2, 01.02.2020, p. 163-184.
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The effect of digital technology on prisoner behavior and reoffending: a natural stepped wedge design
McDougall, Cynthia; Pearson, Dominic; Torgerson, David; Garcia-Reyes, Maria. In: Journal of Experimental Criminology, Vol. 13, No. 4, 01.12.2017, p. 455-482.
Explore more of our research
International Centre for Research in Forensic Psychology
The ICRFP has an established international reputation for conducting a broad range of criminological and forensic psychology research.
Security and risk
The modern world presents countless security challenges – from the physical and electronic security of individuals, organisations and societies, to food safety and security, and military drone use. Discover how our work in this theme is helping to tackle these threats.
Health and Wellbeing
Through research, we're developing new ways to understand people's health, disease and disability around the world. Find out more.
