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Last updated 4th June 2026

Dr Ashley Cartwright has developed a strong academic and leadership profile in the fields of criminology and policing. He currently serves as the Subject Area Lead for Crime and Policing, where he manages a team of over 20 academic staff and oversees the delivery and development of programmes for approximately 500 students. His role encompasses strategic planning, curriculum design, staff development, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality teaching and learning across the subject area.

Before joining Huddersfield in 2019, Dr Cartwright held a number of academic posts across UK higher education. He was a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Leeds Beckett University (2017–2019), a Lecturer in Criminology at Leeds Trinity University (2016–2017), and Head of Criminology at the University of Essex Online (2014–2016), where he led the design and implementation of online criminology programmes.

Dr Cartwright holds a PhD from the University of Huddersfield, awarded in 2016 for his research into the assessment of malingering following road traffic accidents in the UK. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and holds a PGCert in Higher Education. His academic background also includes an MSc in Investigative Psychology (Distinction, 2013) and a BSc in Psychology (2012). In addition, he is a Chartered Manager and holds a Level 7 qualification in strategic management. His commitment to teaching excellence was recognised in 2019 when he was nominated and shortlisted for Best Lecturer of the Year by Leeds Beckett University Students’ Union.

Dr Ashley Cartwright is a respected researcher in the fields of forensic and police psychology. He was awarded the Wayman Mullins Best Journal Article of the Year Award in 2017 by the Society for Police and Criminal Psychology, recognising the quality and impact of his academic work. Dr Cartwright has worked extensively with forensic psychiatrists and psychologists to improve the identification of malingering and feigned mental health conditions, contributing to more accurate assessments in both clinical and legal settings.

A major focus of his research is the wellbeing of police personnel. He has collaborated with police organisations across the UK and internationally to better understand the psychological pressures of policing, including stress, trauma, and organisational challenges. His current work is centred on developing and evaluating practical interventions to support mental health and wellbeing within police forces. These initiatives are co-designed with police services to ensure they are relevant, evidence-based, and sustainable in practice. Dr Cartwright’s research continues to inform efforts to create healthier working environments and more resilient policing cultures.