ProfLaura Caulfield

Professor Laura Caulfield PhD is Dean of Research Culture and Postgraduate Research at the University of Wolverhampton. She is an experienced and trusted research leader, skilled at delivering strategic organisational initiatives focused on research structures, cultures, and researcher development. Laura has significant leadership experience and has held Director of Research roles since 2012. In 2025 Laura led the University of Wolverhampton through a successful application to Vitae for the HR Excellence in Research award.

Between 2017 and 2025 Laura was Founding Chair of the Institute for Community Research and Development (ICRD) at the University of Wolverhampton, working with communities, practitioners, and policy makers to use research and evidence to improve people's lives.

Laura has been undertaking research with public, private, and third-sector agencies since 2001 to tackle complex social issues, and is an expert in bridging the gap between evidence, policy, and practice. Laura is a Psychologist and much of her research focuses on the impact of interventions in and around criminal justice. She has received funding from the Home Office, Economic and Social Research Council, the Arts Alliance, the NHS, Arts Council England, the Ministry of Justice, and several third-sector organisations. 

Laura has been invited to speak at the House of Lords to give evidence from her research, and her work has received recognition nationally and internationally. She has received a commendation award from the Howard League for Penal Reform for her research achievements; she received special recognition from the Asian Psychological Association in bringing work on Javanese Gamelan music to the UK. Laura currently serves as a board member of the Southwest Correctional Arts Network (USA) and until 2025 Chaired the Evidence and Advisory Board for the West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership.

Her latest book, 'Arts in Criminal Justice and Corrections: International perspectives on methods, journeys, and challenges', was published by Routledge in 2024. The third edition of her research methods text, ‘Criminological Skills and Research for Beginners’ was released by Routledge in 2025.