About Me

 

Hi, I’m Jenn,

I have spent over 10 years working in research, policy and educational roles in the field of violence against women. Through my research and work in Scotland, I have developed a detailed understanding of the Scottish policy and legal context relating to domestic abuse.

Through my research, employment and collaborative opportunities, I have worked with two major international banking groups and a leading third sector specialist organisation. Through these experiences I have developed unique expertise in economic abuse and banking.

I hold an LL.M. in International Human Rights Law and a MRes in Public Policy Research. I am currently completing my PhD, which examines economic abuse, the costs of separation and support available for victim-survivors in Scotland.

Experience

 

Innovative Research Placement with Royal Bank of Scotland

In 2019, I undertook an award-winning collaborative research placement with the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), through the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS) Innovative Internship Placement.

The aim of my research placement was to 1) establish the awareness and understanding of economic abuse across different departments at RBS; 2) learn about the impact of economic abuse on customers; 3) produce recommendations on how to improve banking procedures for vulnerable customers.

I produced a findings report based on my research outcomes, which has led to continued systems change at NatWest/RBS in how to respond to and support customers and colleagues who have/are experiencing economic abuse.

“Jenn has given us a powerful, data-driven piece of research which is going to shape the way the bank challenges financial abuse.”
— Lindsay Law (RBS) in SGSSS Interview

Visiting Scholar at Rutgers University

In 2020, I was a Visiting Scholar at Rutgers University at the Center on Violence Against Women and Children in the US. As part of my placement, I worked closely alongside economic abuse expert, Professor Judy Postmus, to present my research findings from Scotland as well as share my insights on banking and economic abuse.

For more information listen to the podcast episode with Judy Postmus and myself below.

Listen Here

I am a member of:

  • The forum is a network for staff and postgraduate students across the University to share information, develop research ideas, and receive support in relation to gender-based violence research.

  • The Group’s mission is to promote equality through gender budgeting to build a fairer and more equal Scotland.

  • The Collective is a group of consultants and freelancers working for social change embedded in intersectional feminism.

  • Financially Included is a partnership project between GEMAP & Glasgow Violence Against Women Partnership funded by Delivering Equally Safe by focusing on economic abuse.