Professor Danielle McDermott Appointed Trustee of Tempus Novo
Helping to Drive Growth and Innovation
Professor Danielle McDermott Appointed Trustee
Tempus Novo is delighted to announce that Professor Danielle McDermott has joined our Board of Trustees, having previously supported the charity as a Tempus Novo Ambassador.
Danielle brings an exceptional combination of academic leadership, frontline prison experience and specialist expertise in forensic psychology, rehabilitation and education. Her appointment further strengthens the knowledge and experience within Tempus Novo as we continue our mission to help people with convictions rebuild their lives through sustainable employment.
Danielle is Director of Psychology & Criminology at the University of Law, a Chartered Psychologist and Professor of Custodial Practice. Her career has brought together academic research and practical experience within His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service giving her a deep understanding of many of the challenges facing people within the criminal justice system.
Her research focuses on areas including self-harm, suicide, violence, rehabilitation and improving educational and employment outcomes for justice-involved individuals. She has published widely in leading academic journals and advises organisations across the criminal justice sector with a particular commitment to ensuring that policy and practice are informed by robust evidence.
Before moving into academia, Danielle spent seven years working within the Psychology Department at HMP Leeds, one of England’s busiest local prisons. She was appointed Treatment Manager for the prison’s Safer Custody Unit working with vulnerable prisoners at risk of self-harm and suicide. During this period she designed and delivered a psychosocial programme focused on emotional and impulse management, communication and problem-solving skills.
Her contribution to the Prison Service was recognised with a Certificate of Commendation from the Butler Trust for outstanding contribution within the Prison Service.
Danielle’s academic career has also included significant work in the development of custodial leadership and rehabilitation. She and her team successfully secured a partnership with Unlocked Graduates to deliver an MSc in Applied Custodial Leadership as part of its pioneering two year leadership programme for prison officers.
She has also contributed her expertise to criminal justice policy and research, including serving on a Youth Justice Board Advisory Panel and undertaking research and evaluation work across the sector. Danielle has previously carried out commissioned research for Tempus Novo giving her an established understanding of the charity including our approach and the impact that sustainable employment can have on the lives of people leaving prison.
An award-winning educator and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Danielle also brings significant governance experience through her role as a Trustee of the Wise Owl Multi Academy Trust.
Her move from Ambassador to Trustee represents a natural development in her relationship with Tempus Novo. As a member of the Board Danielle will bring expertise in psychology, rehabilitation, education, research and strategic leadership, helping to support the charity as it continues to develop and expand its work.
At the heart of Tempus Novo is the belief that employment can provide far more than a job. The right opportunity combined with the right support, can provide stability, purpose, independence and a genuine route towards a different future.
Danielle’s understanding of rehabilitation and the evidence behind successful long term outcomes will be invaluable as Tempus Novo continues working with prisons, employers and partners to create sustainable employment opportunities and ultimately; jobs that can change lives for good.
We are delighted to welcome Professor Danielle McDermott to the Tempus Novo Board of Trustees and look forward to the contribution she will make to the next chapter of the charity’s development.