Ministry of Justice Data and Evaluation UKRI Policy Fellowship
Lead Research Organisation:
ROYAL HOLLOWAY UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
Department Name: School of Law
Abstract
The fellowship will last 18 months to cover:
a 3-month inception phase for set up activity
a 12-month placement with the host organisation
an impact phase lasting 3 months
Fellows will co-design projects and activities with their host and produce analysis to inform government decision-making across a range of policy priorities. Fellows will also engage across the host organisation, building effective working relationships and supporting wider knowledge exchange with researchers.
This will be supported through their embedded role within the host organisation, including line management support.
a 3-month inception phase for set up activity
a 12-month placement with the host organisation
an impact phase lasting 3 months
Fellows will co-design projects and activities with their host and produce analysis to inform government decision-making across a range of policy priorities. Fellows will also engage across the host organisation, building effective working relationships and supporting wider knowledge exchange with researchers.
This will be supported through their embedded role within the host organisation, including line management support.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Rosie Meek (Principal Investigator / Fellow) |
Publications
| Description | My role involved providing prison and non-prison evaluation, research and ethics guidance across the MoJ/HMPPS. I am also carried out two distinct projects: Project 1 In this project we are supporting the relatively recent development of digital technology in prisons, specifically an initiative called Digital Launchpad which is currently being developed and rolled out across male and female prisons. Our approach includes a focus on digital literacy (and the measurement of this concept within the context of a realistic and accessible evaluation methodology). We are also exploring the concept of digital confidence through the mechanisms of peer support in prisons. Our work is shaped and co-designed through consultation with those serving long sentences (of ten years or more) and a team of 'Digital Orderlies' - those people in prison who support their fellow prisoners in accessing digital technology. Project 2 As a Forensic Psychologist with a commitment to supporting positive changes in our justice system, I advocate for a broad range of exercise and movement-based interventions and programmes in prisons. In order to best support the diverse populations our prisons hold I have been involved in a wide range of initiatives - from walking, running and weight training to martial arts and team sports. The research evidence shows that yoga plays a unique role, supported by the important work of external groups in bringing yoga into prisons, and championed by staff who appreciate the value that yoga brings to their establishments. In my work in this project within my fellowship I have undertaken a report to deliver to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Yoga in Society, where I explore the health and wellbeing benefits of yoga behind prison walls, the transformative relationships that can be fostered through yoga and the importance of yoga in recovery and desistance. Secondly, I have undertaken a process and theory-based evaluation of an initiative which seeks to train prison staff to deliver trauma-informed yoga classes in male and female prisons. |
| Exploitation Route | Through dissemination events, academic outputs and the preparation of findings for a range of non-academic audiences. |
| Sectors | Government Democracy and Justice Other |
| Description | My role involved providing prison and non-prison evaluation, research and ethics guidance across the MoJ/HMPPS. I also carryied out two distinct projects: Project 1 In this project we are supporting the relatively recent development of digital technology in prisons, specifically an initiative called Digital Launchpad which is currently being developed and rolled out across male and female prisons. Our approach includes a focus on digital literacy (and the measurement of this concept within the context of a realistic and accessible evaluation methodology). We are also exploring the concept of digital confidence through the mechanisms of peer support in prisons. Our work is shaped and co-designed through consultation with those serving long sentences (of ten years or more) and a team of 'Digital Orderlies' - those people in prison who support their fellow prisoners in accessing digital technology. Project 2 As a Forensic Psychologist with a commitment to supporting positive changes in our justice system, I advocate for a broad range of exercise and movement-based interventions and programmes in prisons. In order to best support the diverse populations our prisons hold I have been involved in a wide range of initiatives - from walking, running and weight training to martial arts and team sports. The research evidence shows that yoga plays a unique role, supported by the important work of external groups in bringing yoga into prisons, and championed by staff who appreciate the value that yoga brings to their establishments. In my work in this project within my fellowship I have undertaken a report to deliver to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Yoga in Society, where I explore the health and wellbeing benefits of yoga behind prison walls, the transformative relationships that can be fostered through yoga and the importance of yoga in recovery and desistance. Secondly, I have undertaken a process and theory-based evaluation of an initiative which seeks to train prison staff to deliver trauma-informed yoga classes in male and female prisons. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2024 |
| Sector | Government, Democracy and Justice |
| Description | Member of the National Research Committee |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Helping to improve the quality and robustness of research taking place in prison and probation settings. |
| URL | https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-prison-and-probation-service/about/research |
| Description | The Development of Launchpad in Relation to Digital Literacy, Digital Orderlies and Long-Term Prisoners |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | The report arising from the research commenced with this overview: The Launchpad programme is delivering in-cell technology to public prisons across the English and Welsh estate. Through the 'Content Hub', it provides prisoners with access to 'digital transactional services', educational resources, rehabilitative resources, information about the prison and wellbeing content. Since 2017, Launchpad has been rolled out into 20 prisons across England and Wales. This research seeks to explore and identify the research opportunities for the Launchpad programme going forward, drawing on consultation with two key cohorts: Digital Orderlies and men and women serving long sentences (defined as having served ten years or more in custody). Digital Orderlies are peer supporters who are selected to assist others in using prisoner-facing digital technology-particularly laptops and kiosks-within the prison environment. This role is part of the broader Launchpad digital service initiative and is designed to promote digital literacy, accessibility, and self-service among prisoners. People serving long sentences have been identified as particularly at risk of digital exclusion, as their lack of access to technology in custody leaves them unprepared for the digital world to which they will be released. The roll out of in-prison technology has the potential to improve their digital literacy and digital confidence, and therefore their digital inclusion on release. This research seeks to support the ongoing roll-out and evaluation of the Launchpad programme. It also provides user insights that enable HMPPS and MoJ to continue to develop and improve Launchpad in line with its evidence-informed and user-centric design principles. We do this by setting out our findings across six themes: 1. Digital literacy and digital confidence; 2. Digital apathy and digital resistance; 3. Developing and recognising the role of Digital Orderlies; 4. The development of digital content; 5. Opportunities and barriers for prisoners' relationships and connections; 6. The role of the Digital and Communications Manager (DCM) in a digital prison. |
| Title | Supporting MoJ colleagues and internal and external research activities. |
| Description | My policy fellowship has included providing varied research and evaluation support, research ethics/National Research Committee activities, and developing updated Areas of Research Interest (ARI) - see below. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2025 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Enhancing the research activities of the MoJ and the research skills of MoJ colleagues. With the ARI specifically, Dr Hulley and I contributed the following areas which were incorporated: What impact does digital technology in prisons have on relationships between prisoners and people living outside prison, for example friends, family and legal representatives? How are different forms of digital communication experienced by prisoners and those living outside? What is the impact of digital technology on staff-prisoner relationships? What impact does in-cell technology have on digital literacy and digital confidence among prisoners? Co-production: to explore the co-production of research with people with lived experience, to promote engagement with the research process and findings. This includes understanding effective approaches in engaging justice system users in the co-design, co-production and dissemination of research. |
| URL | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-justice-areas-of-research-interest-2025/minis... |
| Description | Collaborations with colleagues across Ministry of Justice, HM Prison and Probation Service, and external partners. |
| Organisation | Ministry of Justice |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Engaging with colleagues across a number of projects as well as contributing to the MoJ ethics committee, and the National Research Committee. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Offering networking and skill development opportunities. |
| Impact | Ongoing |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Keynote speaker at the British Wheel of Yoga Autumn Summit 2024 - "Yoga: Health, Harm and Healing" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Keynote speaker at the British Wheel of Yoga / SOAS event on yoga for health and wellbeing. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.bwy.org.uk/content/uploads/2024/07/1-Rosie-Meek-2.pdf |
| Description | Knowledge Exchange Event: Sport and Physical Activity in Prisons |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This two day Knowledge Exchange event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders - largely representing prison sport and Physical Education delivery staff, sporting partner organisations and academics/postgraduate students, as well as those with lived experience of incarceration - to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with sport and physical activity in prisons. Attendees were predominantly UK-based, with some further guests from Europe, Brazil and Canada. Day one was hosted at the Royal Holloway campus and included interactive workshops, presentations, physical activity sessions and a keynote address from Boris Becker, reflecting on his recent experiences of being incarcerated in two English prisons. Day two involved guided visits to two prisons, HMP Bronzefield and HMYOI Feltham, to showcase the delivery of a range of innovative sport and physical initiatives. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Recorded a podcast for the 'Inside the Teen Brain' series |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I recorded a podcast for the 'Inside the Teen Brain' series, drawing on my research on the value of sport and physical activity in prison settings. Simply being invited to contribute to this series is evidence that sport and physical activity is recognised by the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health as uniquely valuable, especially for at-risk young people and those in the justice system. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://acamhlearn.org/Learning/Inside_the_Teen_Brain_-_A_Second_Chance/851ece72-177d-4869-889b-e1fb... |
| Description | Supporting the work of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Yoga in Society. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Supported the work of the APPG for Yoga in Society, specifically focusing on the role of yoga in prisons. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Women's prison violence: roundtable |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | This women's prison violence roundtable was hosted at the Ministry of Justice and attended by the Prisons Minister, Lord Timpson, and a range of practitioners and academics. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |