Dr Danna-Mechelle Lewis

Danna-Mechelle is currently working across two research projects. 

Outcome measures linked to desistence:   This is a policy fellowship study in partnership with Ministry of Justice and HM Inspectorate of Probation.  The project seeks to explore the range of outcome measures needed to better understand desistance and (reductions in) reoffending. There is interest in developing measures that work for (i) children and (ii) adults, ensuring that they are sufficiently tailored to these differing age groups.  The study is sponsored by Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE) and funded by UKRI Research England.  Principle Investigator - £50,000.00, June 2022 £13,914, March 2023

Centring the domestic abuse survivor experience through digital resources for their journey: let’s change the narrative through impact on practice:  working with colleagues Rima Hussein and Kayleigh Richardson (faculty of Business and Law / School of Law) this study aims to answer the Ministry of Justice research question ‘How can we minimise the harm to survivors of abuse engaging with the family justice system’, by providing innovative and accessible digital ‘self-help’ videos (Vlogs) to better equip survivors of domestic abuse and their families, when navigating the Family Court process.  This project will be delivered in partnership with Cardiff Women’s Aid and Support through Court, and the Ministry of Justice.  The study is sponsored by Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE) seed funding and funded by UKRI Research England.  Co-Investigator  £13,759.00, June 2022

Danna-Mechelle currently teaches across the Criminology and PCDA programmes.  She also provides NVivo training to academics, postgraduates, and researchers.  Please feel free to contact her to discuss hosting an NVivo training event.

• Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
• A Holistic Practitioner’s Toolkit for Supporting Desistance and Desistance-informed Practice, Lewis, D. 24 Feb 2026
• Desisting from Offending and Harmful Behaviours: An Evidence-based review, Lewis, D. 15 Dec 2025
• Our Possible Future Selves: Free activity worksheets for kids aged 5 -10 years, Lewis, D. 26 Jan 2024
• Living on the Edge: Young Offenders and Emotive Offending, Lewis, D. 2 Jan 2018, In: Deviant Behavior
• A Matter for Concern: Young Offenders and the Importance of Mattering, Lewis, D. 2 Nov 2017, In: Deviant Behavior
• Book Review: Making Sense of Reality: Culture and Perception in Everyday Life, Lewis, D. 1 Mar 2016, In: Cultural Sociology
• The risk factor – (Re-) visiting adult offender risk assessments within criminal justice practice, Lewis, D. 17 Jun 2014, In: Risk Management
• Dealing with Disaffection: Young People, Mentoring and Social Inclusion, Lewis, D. Oct 2006, In: Crime Prevention and Community Safety
• How Important are Prisons as a Locality within the Community?, Lewis, D. 2005, In: Prison Service Journal
• Changing Face of Crime, Lewis, D. 2003

• Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
• Cape-Centring the domestic abuse survivor experience through digital resources for their journey; let’s change the narrative through impact on practice, Hussein, R. (Principal Investigator), Lewis, D. (Co Investigator), CAPE Fund - Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement, 01/06/22 - 31/12/22, £13,759.00

Danna-Mechelle is available for collaborative research and writing projects in her field of expertise.  She is also available for guest lectures, conferences, and PhD supervision. 

• Academic Studies in Education PGCert February 02 2023
• Criminology PhD October 30 2011
• Fellow in Higher Education FHEA 2023
• Associate Fellow in Higher Education AFHEA 2022
• Member British Sociological Association (BSA) 2020

• Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
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