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As a criminologist and critical psychologist, I have longstanding research interests in children, families and harm, and in research methodologies. At the start of my research career I worked as a Research Officer at the Trust for the Study of Adolescence where I worked on a number of commissioned projects that were concerned with children and young people (e.g. Roker and Holt, 2008; Roker et al, 2006). During this time I obtained a distinction in MSc Psychological Research Methods and won a scholarship to study for a PhD - the project explored the experiences of parents whose child is involved in the youth justice system. Subsequent funded research projects include explorations of anti-violence strategies in schools (e.g. Holt et al, 2011) and pluralities in qualitative data analysis (e.g. Frost et al, 2011).

Much of my work in recent years has focused on the problem of adolescent family violence. I have published widely on this topic, and have spoken about this issue at international conferences and on local and national radio, and recently worked with the Home Office in producing a government response to adolescent violence and abuse towards parents.

I am currently leading a British Academy/Leverhulme Trust funded research project that is investigating violent and abusive behaviour perpetrated towards grandparents (SRG\171528). Publications from this project can be found on www.violenceagainstgrandparents.co.uk 

BA (Hons); MSc; PhD

My research interests broadly address issues concerned with families, identity and harm. From a social sciences background, I apply an interdisciplinary approach to my work and draw on a range of qualitative methodologies. Over the past five years, I have focused on three specific areas of research: families, schools and youth justice, adolescent family violence, and pluralism in qualitative research.

PhD Supervision

I am interested in supervising students researching in the areas of parenting and youth justice, family violence, and/or those interested in methodological innovations.

Commissioned Research Reports

• Hayden C, Holt A, Martin D & Nee C (2009) European Safer School Partnerships through Education for Democratic Citizenship (ESSPD): Research Report on the UK Case Study. Report to the European Commission Education Socrates-Comenius Programme for Education, September 2009.
• Roker, D & Holt, A (2008) Delivering residential parenting courses: practical suggestions for YOTs. Report to the Juvenile Offenders Unit, Home Office, May 2008
• Roker, D, Holt, A & Cox, L (2005) Residential parenting programmes in the youth justice system: An evaluation of a new pilot programme. Final Report for the Juvenile Offenders Unit, Home Office, September 2005.
• Roker, D, Devitt, K & Holt, A (2004) "The Missing Piece of the Jigsaw…": Supporting Parents During their Child's Move to Secondary School. Final Report to the Colouste Gulbenkian Society.
• Holt, A & Coleman, J (2004) Supported Housing, Young People and Health: A Review. Report to the National Children's Bureau, London. January 2004.
• Holt, A & Roker, D (2003) Projects and organisations in the south-east which support the parents of young people: A Directory. Report to the regional Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator and DPAS. Trust for the Study of Adolescence, Brighton, December 2003.

• Member of the British Society of Criminology
• Member of the European Society of Criminology
  
• Graduate Member of British Psychological Society (BPS)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA)
• Trustee of Family Lives