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. 

Rita Hira, Research assistant

Working on research within Broadmoor Hospital has helped me connect my work directly with patient experiences. Through the hub not only have I had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of different research projects (self-harm & suicide, ACE and Personality Disorders), but I also help set up some important aspects of a research team. Including the Patient Co-Production Group, creating our website and helping Dr Hafferty with the research strategy. It has been a unique opportunity I couldn't have gained elsewhere.

Josephine Broyd, Research assistant

Having worked in the Research Hub as a psychology student and now a research assistant I’ve had the opportunity to work on a range of projects that aim to improve the quality of care, treatment, assessment and understanding of patients at Broadmoor Hospital. Previous work includes an evaluation of the autism awareness training provided to staff and examining the link between neuropsychological profiles and vulnerability to spending time in seclusion. Current research projects are based on trauma, autism, incels and traumatic brain injury. As an aspiring clinical psychologist, I'm particularly interested in how we can make our service more neurodiversity-informed.

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.