Megan holds an undergraduate degree in Criminology and Psychology, earning a prize for the Best Overall Performance by a BSc Criminology Student. She then went on to complete her Masters in Criminological Research at the University of Cambridge in 2021. Megan has gained valuable experience working for Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service and lecturing undergraduates on youth justice, research methods and rehabilitation practices.
She published in Criminology, holds a Level 3 Leadership and Management certification, and has project management experience. Since January 2024, Megan has assisted Dr. Neema Trivedi-Bateman in the day-to-day running of the Compass Project. In October 2024, Megan started her PhD in the Department of Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, Megan's interests lie in child and adolescent development, focusing on interventions that enhance the well-being of young people and those around them.
Exploring the intergenerational transmission and trajectories of trauma, perceptions and resilience in parents and adolescents.
Supervisors : Dr Neema Trivedi-Bateman and Dr Fran Azpitarte
The term ‘trauma’ has become a part of everyday language. This presents two overarching problems that this research intends to answer. The first problem is in the conceptual understanding and measurement of trauma. Over the last decade, it has become an enduring and subjective problem in research and practice to define which events are considered ‘trauma’ (Haslam, 2016). With these increasingly broadened definitions it therefore stands to question whether screening and research efforts still accurately reflect the experiences of young people and their families.
In addition, whilst the literature around intergenerational trauma and resilience is vast, we still have a limited understanding of how these concepts are perceived. This is especially true for children despite growing evidence that intergenerational narratives can improve resilience (Yilmaz et al, 2024). Similarly, recent evidence suggests that it may be the perception of the experience that determines traumatisation and resilience, more so than the event itself (Haslam, 2016).
The second problem that this research therefore aims to answer, is whether perceptions play a crucial role in moderating the relationship between trauma and resilience within families.
- May, T., Holloway, K., Buhociu, M., Huggett, M. and Hills, R., 2019. A qualitative study of the misuse and diversion of prescription only and over-the-counter medication [online]