A former Probation Officer, Ella has worked within Welsh criminal justice for over 20 years, before bringing her professional experience to academia. Her senior leadership experience includes leading on policy, partnership and governance development. She holds an MA in Applied Criminal Justice and Criminology (Swansea University). She convenes the Probation Development Group (PDG) at the Welsh Centre for Crime and Social Justice and was responsible for compiling the PDG publication ‘Towards a Devolved Probation Service in Wales’ which has supported policy thinking on justice devolution. As an expert in multi-agency working in Wales, Ella established and continues to work with the Wales Safer Communities Network, as well as contributing to the Wales Youth Justice Academic Advisory Group and All-Wales Policing Academic Collaboration.
Ella was awarded an Impact Fellowship for her research and training in community safety in Wales. She was a Leading Wales Awards Finalist for her co-development of an employability charity with ex-offenders.
Ella will be contributing to a WISERD project studying ‘Local Economics and Place Based Innovations’. Her research will examine the development of warm hubs as places of social inclusion and community connectedness within Wales. Building on her previous study, this qualitative research will examine the potential of hubs to respond to those who face significant social exclusion and poverty, such as ex-offenders, homeless, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable groups.
Ella’s research specialises in probation, social justice, and community safety. Her recent projects include examining the development of warm hubs, the use of alternative giving schemes for homelessness and collaboration with Public Health Wales on inclusion health for people on probation.