Key details
Dr Matina Shafti
Lecturer in Forensic Psychology
Matina joined the University of Greenwich in January 2024 as a lecturer in Forensic Psychology. Matina’s research has adopted qualitative and quantitative methods to investigate the underlying mechanisms of self-harm and violence amongst marginalised groups. Her work has encompassed the study of various factors that may contribute to harmful behaviours and their co-occurrence, including adverse events, emotional dysregulation, psychopathy, personality, identity, and structural determinants (e.g., staff-patient interactions within forensic mental health services). During her PhD, Matina adopted a multi-method approach to advance her understanding of dual harm (when someone engages in both self-harm and aggression), and how this phenomenon may be best conceptualised in research and practice. She has presented her work at multiple national and international conferences, discussing its theoretical, empirical and practical implications. Matina has actively engaged with policymakers in the Ministry of Justice to discuss future directions and provide evidence-based recommendations for how dual harm could be better managed within forensic settings. Matina teaches various Undergraduate and master's modules, including Mental Health in Criminal and Forensic Contexts, Introduction to Applied Psychology, The Psychology of Resistance and Reintegration, and Qualitative Methods on numerous research methods modules. She also leads the Essential Research Methods module and supervises Undergraduate and Masters students.
Posts held previously
- 2019 - 2023 Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Division of Psychology & Mental Health at the University of Manchester
- 2019 - 2023 PhD Candidate in Psychology in the Division of Psychology & Mental Health at the University of Manchester
- 2018 - 2019 Research Assistant for the Institute of Health & Wellbeing at the University of Glasgow.