Fiona started her professional life as a youth worker, supporting young people in the criminal justice system. After this she embarked on a career at the University of Bedfordshire where she occupied a variety of roles across teaching, research and more latterly in senior leadership, as Head of the School of Applied Social Sciences. She gained her Professional Doctorate in 2017.  Fiona has been both teacher and researcher for over 30 years and retired in 2024. Her research has been conducted across the UK and Europe, focussed on young people in the criminal justice system, serious youth violence, child sexual exploitation and young people’s rights and participation in matters affecting their lives.

Isabelle graduated in sociology from Aberdeen University in 1993 and gained a PhD from the University of Bedfordshire in 1999.  She has been a researcher and lecturer for 30 years.  Isabelle has worked on a range of local and national projects relating to child welfare, including children in care, school exclusion, child exploitation and children’s voice and participation.