Dr. Carol A. Ireland (PhD, MBA) is a Chartered Psychologist, Consultant Forensic Psychologist and Chartered Scientist. She is an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, and is a registered practitioner with the Health and Care Professions Council.
She previously worked in a High Secure Setting for nine years, where she was lead for sex offender therapies and critical incident (hostage) negotiation, and where she acted as an advisor in crisis/conflict situations. She still continues in her role as critical incident trainer and advisor for an NHS Trust. Dr. Ireland is also a Senior Research Lead at the Ashworth Research Centre at Ashworth Hospital.
Whilst coming to work for CCATS, she undertakes the role of Lead for Sex Offender Assessment. She undertakes various work at CCATS, including assessment, intervention, training and consultancy.
She also continues to work with police in the local area, supporting them as an Advisor in critical incidents in the community (e.g. barricades, attempted suicides), as well as being a national advisor. Dr. Ireland also works at the University of Central Lancashire, where she is Course Leader for the MSc in Forensic Psychology, and supervises a range of PhD projects.
Dr. Ireland regularly undertakes Expert Witness Reports for both Family and Criminal Court, and further completes personal injury work. She is also on the UK Team for the International Organisation for Forensic Practitioners (TIOFP). She has more than 60 publications, including journal articles, books and book chapters, mainly on offending, consultancy and crisis (hostage) negotiation. Dr. Ireland was past Chair and past Vice-Chair of the British Psychological Societies Division of Forensic Psychology.