In her thought provoking talk, Professor Laura Caulfield explores how vital positive human relationships and connections help former prisoners successfully bridge the gap between prison and the community. She focuses on the evidence that the creative arts can build strong connections between humans and that these connections can help people live better lives. Professor Laura Caulfield PhD is Director of the Institute for Community Research and Development at the University of Wolverhampton. She is a psychologist and criminologist. Her research expertise lies primarily within the criminal justice system and bridges the gap between evidence, policy, and practice.

Laura has received research funding from the Home Office, ESRC, Arts Alliance, NHS, Ministry of Justice, Youth Offending Service, and several third-sector organisations. Her work focuses on the role of the arts in criminal justice, and the needs of women in the criminal justice system. Her latest book, ‘Criminological Skills and Research for Beginners’ was published in 2018. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx