Vivien Francis

Viv’s first ‘proper’ job was at King’s College London in the International Centre for Prison Studies as a Research Associate and Assistant Editor of 'Punishment and Society' journal. Some favourite projects were creating 'Expectations' with HM Chief Inspector of Prisons; developing international contacts for 'World Prison Brief'; and contributing to the Social Exclusion Unit's 'Reducing re-offending by ex-prisoners'. She visited many prisons, learned how to produce books and write parliamentary speeches and became well versed in human rights.

After four years, she turned consultant. Whilst on that journey (fraught with mingling) she met a research organisation called Applied Research and Community Safety, and reclaimed her introversion. With the ARCS team she designed, managed, and delivered research and evaluation projects for a decade. Latter projects included investigating serious youth violence (for the Home Office); analysing Liaison and Diversion (for the Department of Health); and evidencing ‘what works’ regarding recidivism (for the Northern Ireland Office). 

Less government-oriented projects have included the four-year Beyond Youth Custody collaboration (on the resettlement of young people); working with a youth club (evaluating interventions; advising on trauma / safeguarding issues); evaluating services delivered in prison workshops; and conducting research for the odd graphic novelist.