Broadcast: News items

Rosie Meek

A psychologist who is about to become one of the youngest professors in the UK undertook her entire university education at Sussex.

At the age of 34, Rosie Meek is to join Teesside University as Professor of Psychology and Criminal Justice.

She studied at Sussex for a BA in Social Psychology (1997-2000), an MRes in Psychological Methods, a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education and a DPhil in Psychology (2003-07).

While working on her doctorate, Professor Meek was awarded a fellowship by the Howard League for Penal Reform to carry out research on social deprivation and rural youth crime. In her report she challenged the traditional view that a rural upbringing is idyllic for children.

Professor Meek’s new appointment follows academic posts at the Open University, Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Southampton.

She told Times Higher Education: "Fifteen years ago I was working as a groom. I am the youngest of five from a single-parent family, had very little formal schooling and as a teenager was more likely to be found milking cows ... than in a classroom.

"Personally, as long as I still feel there are important criminological issues that psychology as a discipline - and myself as an individual - can contribute to, I think I'll be as passionate as ever about my job."