Broadmoor research hub team

Dr Jonathan Hafferty, Research lead

I'm a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist to one of the mental illness admission wards of Broadmoor Hospital and also the hospital’s research lead. I did my medical and postgraduate training at the University of Oxford and have also completed a PhD in data science and health informatics at the University of Edinburgh.

I've also completed a postgraduate diploma in medical education (with distinction) at the University of Oxford and a postgraduate certificate in drug development science (with distinction) at King’s College, University of London.

I'm a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. My research interests include the application of data science and medical technology to forensic psychiatry, the recognition and management of self-harm, and advanced psychopharmacology. 

Laura Gröger, Research assistant

As an aspiring clinical psychologist who hopes to work with forensic populations, I'm keen to contribute to psychologically informed practices surrounding patient care and rehabilitation.

Current research project topics I'm passionate about include neuro diversity, traumatic brain injuries and virtual reality applied to healthcare.

As part of my role I also support the patient co-production group which enables valuable contributions from the patients for the research process within the hospital.

Lauren Boniface, Research assistant

Working within the research hub as a psychology student - and now a research assistant - I've had the opportunity to work on several projects aiming to improve patient care and enhance treatment and assessment at Broadmoor Hospital.

As an aspiring clinical psychologist, I am passionate about improving patient care, treatment and experiences through providing service-user led research.

Previous work includes examining self-reported sleep dysfunction among the patients and its relationship with executive dysfunction and dynamic risk. I have also worked on a review looking at incels, violence and mental disorder.

Current research interests include neuro-diversity, forensic psychopathology, terrorism, and the use of virtual reality within forensic mental health services. 

Simon Draycott

I am currently the lead psychologist within the high secure personality disorder pathway and a part-time lecturer of psychology at Bournemouth University. My main interests are how individuals with personality disorder and psychopathy may process emotional information, maintain interpersonal cycles and respond to treatment. Outside of personality disorder, I research readiness to change in forensic settings.

James Tapp

Having spent over a decade at Broadmoor Hospital, I had the opportunity to train in forensic psychology while also completing a PhD with Surrey University exploring what works in high secure inpatient services. I currently work within the clinical research and governance and HSS PD pathway, acting as a senior lecturer at Kingston University. My current research interests include: restorative justice in mental health settings, psychological assessment, and violence and aggression in secure settings.

Read more on James Tapp's profile on the research gate website. 

David Murphy

BSc (Hons), MSc, D Clin Psychol, PG dip clinical neuropsychology, PGC Autism.

I am a chartered forensic and consultant clinical neuropsychologist with over 20 years’ experience working in a range of forensic settings. My research interests are in most aspects of neuropsychology related to mentally disordered offenders and offenders with neurodevelopmental disorders. I also teach at a number of universities around forensic neuropsychology and the forensic aspects of autism, as well as presenting at national and international conferences.

Azizah Attard

I have 12 years' experienced with Dr David Taylor at Maudsley Hospital, researching various aspects of psychopharmacology. At the start, I focused largely on the link between physical and mental health disorders. Now I evaluate medication in clinical practice. I am actively interested in the psychopharmacology of treatmeant-refractory schizophrenia and the outcomes of psychopharmacological interventions.

I am passionate about destigmatising mental health and I dedicate time teaching and talking publicly in various countries in West Africa where suicide is still illegal.

This placement is truly packed with a range of valuable opportunities for students. You'll be exposed to the forensic and clinical branches of psychology, making it a perfect placement for someone who hopes to practice clinical psychology within forensic settings in the future.

You'll have the chance to conduct neuropsychological and risk assessments with patients as well as attend clinical ward meetings. Additionally, you will be able to engage with the exciting research going on at the hospital through their high secure research hub.

This placement has expanded my clinical knowledge and research skills to an extent I did not think possible before graduating.

Thank you to the team at Broadmoor for making this placement experience what it is!

This is a really valuable opportunity for an aspiring Clinical Psychologist and a unique opportunity as an undergraduate student! Through the incredible support and encouragement of Dr Murphy - I've been able to contribute to multiple research projects that are soon to be published.

I was also given the chance to present one of my research projects at a Broadmoor Conference, winning the award for the best project.

Alongside my research role, I've also been able to gain an extensive amount of clinical experience, even completing neuropsychological assessments of patients and attending clinical meetings. I couldn't have asked for a more beneficial placement year working as a Student Research Assistant within the Research Hub. The placement has affirmed my career aspirations and I look forward to applying my acquired knowledge in my final year of university and beyond.