Dr Tim McSweeney

Tim leads the Policing Institute for the Eastern Region's data-driven programme of research on public protection issues, funded by the Dawes Trust. He has over 20 years’ experience of undertaking research, evaluation and consultancy examining the processes and impacts of different criminal justice interventions in the UK, Europe, and Australia.

Tim's ORCID record

Tim's ResearchGate record

[email protected]

Background

Tim joined ARU from the University of Hertfordshire where he was a Senior Lecturer in forensic psychology (between 2018 and 2023). He has previously held roles at Middlesex University, London (2016-2017), Birkbeck, University of London (2010-2015), University of New South Wales, Australia (2009-2013), King's College, London (2003-2010), London South Bank University (1999-2003), and Imperial College, London (1997-1998).

In addition to teaching and research posts in academia, Tim has worked in senior research roles with the Home Office (Counter-Extremism Unit) and Ministry of Justice (HM Inspectorate of Prisons).

Research interests

• 'Organised' and group-based forms of offending.
• Youth crime and serious violence.
• The supervision and management of those sentenced by the courts.
• Addressing drug and alcohol misuse and dependency within the criminal justice system.
• Help seeking behaviour by, and support services for, victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.
• Measuring the impact of different criminal justice interventions on reoffending and other outcomes.

Areas of research supervision

The effectiveness of interventions designed to prevent and deter crime, including work by law enforcement and related agencies like the police, courts, youth justice, probation, and prison services.

Qualifications

• PhD Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia.
• BSc (Hons) Applied Social Science (Social Research), University of North London.

Memberships, editorial boards

• International Editorial Board (Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy)

Research grants, consultancy, knowledge exchange

Recent research grants

• Co-investigator, Dawes Trust funded research on ‘Understanding parole success after release from prison in England and Wales (2011-2022)’ (2023 - £100,000).
• Principal Investigator, Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded Data First Research Fellowship ‘Understanding the nature, extent and outcomes of serious and organised crime cases heard before the Crown Courts in England and Wales (2013-2020)’ (2021 - £101,230).
• Principal Investigator, Home Office funded ‘Comparative research on cybercrime, fraud and money laundering offenders’ (2020 - £91,000).
• Co-investigator, Youth Endowment Fund ‘Feasibility and pilot evaluation of four Family Therapy Focused Projects aimed at reducing youth crime’ (2019 - £407,000).

Advisory roles:

• Correctional Services Advice and Accreditation Panel (CSAAP) (Associate member, 2021-).
• European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) (2019-2020).
• World Health Organisation (2009-2010; 2016-17).
• United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2009-2010; 2016-17).
• Council of Europe, Pompidou Group Expert Platform on Criminal Justice (2007–2010).

Selected recent publications

McSweeney, T. (2023). Data Insight: The outcomes of serious and organised crime cases appearing before the criminal courts in England and Wales. Swindon: ADR UK.

Science Animated. (2023). Who is prosecuted for serious and organised crimes, and what happens to them? Gloucestershire: SciAni.

Adler, J.R. et al., (2023). ASSIST Trauma Care - Guiding Young Minds: Feasibility and pilot study report. London: Youth Endowment Fund.

Adler, J.R. et al., (2023). Brandon Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy for Young People - Systemic Integrative Treatment: Feasibility and pilot study report. London: Youth Endowment Fund.

Adler, J.R. et al., (2023). Family Support – The Transition and Resilience Project: Feasibility and pilot study report. London: Youth Endowment Fund.

Adler, J.R. et al., (2023). RISE Mutual CIC - Child to Parent Violence Programme: Feasibility and pilot study report. London: Youth Endowment Fund.

Catalani, V., et al., (2023). Profiling the vendors of COVID-19 related product on the Darknet: an observational study. Emerging Trends in Drugs, Addictions and Health. 20 p., 100051. (E-pub ahead of print.)

McSweeney, T. (2022). Data Insight: Emerging findings on the nature, extent and outcomes of serious and organised crime cases prosecuted in England and Wales. Swindon: ADR UK.

Gekoski, A., Adler, J.R. and McSweeney, T. (2022). Profiling the Fraudster: Findings From A Rapid Evidence Assessment. Global Crime, 23(4): 422-442.

McSweeney, T. (2022). Data Explained: Understanding the nature, extent and outcomes of serious and organised crime cases heard before the Crown Court in England and Wales. Swindon: ADR UK.

McSweeney, T. (2021). Working with service users who consume Class A drugs and are in contact with the criminal justice system. London: Clinks Evidence Library.

McSweeney, T. (2021). ‘Treatment in Criminal Justice Settings: Mandatory vs Voluntary Treatment and Rehabilitation’ in (Eds.) N. el-Guebaly, G. Carrà, M. Galanter and A. Baldacchino, Textbook of Addiction Treatment: International Perspectives, pp.1423-1436. New York: Springer.

Recent presentations and conferences

A national data linkage study to assess the extent, nature and outcomes of serious and organised crime prosecuted before the criminal courts in England and Wales. Presentation at the 24th Annual Conference of the European Society of Criminology, Florence, Italy. 8 September 2023.

ADR UK Research Fellows: Insights from criminal justice data. Invited presentation as part of the ONS Research Excellence Series, online seminar. 25 January 2023.