A case study submitted to the Research Excellence Framework 2014 demonstrating the impact of the University's research.
Firesetting is a common, costly and tragic offence. Every week, criminal firesetting in the UK causes 65 casualties or deaths and costs over £40m. Yet, until recently, no standardised offender treatment programme had ever been developed.
Responding to this need, psychologists Professor Theresa Gannon, Dr Caoilte Ó Ciardha, Dr Emma Alleyne of Kent’s School of Psychology conducted a controlled study, which found that firesetters have particular psychological characteristics requiring unique treatment. From this, the team developed the first comprehensive theory of firesetting. A standardised treatment programme was also developed for offenders within mental health services and prisons.
Their research is being used in the UK to provide treatment for firesetters in secure establishments and community settings. It is also being used to guide decisions on care, sentence planning and parole. Both the US and Australia have drawn on the research to inform and train their own clinicians.
The Research Excellence Framework 2014 showed that Kent ranks 17th in the UK for research intensity, has world-leading research in all subjects and that 97% of our research is deemed to be of international quality.
Contributing to the University’s REF success were the number of our world class publications, the number of research active staff and the demonstrable impact our research has made to the sciences and to economic, social and cultural understanding.