Originally from Belfast, Shona has lived and worked in England as a barrister and criminologist, and is now based at the University of Oxford. The accent has softened, unless she starts to talk about power, politics, or pudding. 

An accidental academic, she fell into criminological research when trying to understand the legal basis for the treatment of children whose mothers are sent to prison, and why their wellbeing isn’t considered when a mother is sentenced. Ten years later she has influenced sentencing policy and practice, won awards for research impact, and written academic books and papers. Combining her experiences as a lawyer, researcher, activist, and mother, Shona has developed a deserved reputation both as a unique voice and a leading authority on how and why we must do justice better for women and their children. The book she’s working on will get us thinking about two of her favourite topics – punishment and motherhood.