Many of our researchers are recognised as leaders in their respective fields. Read the case studies below for more information about their work.

Michael Cole, Professor of Forensic Science

Michael Cole is Professor of Forensic Science and Head of the Department of Forensic Science and Chemistry at Anglia Ruskin University. He was previously Head of the Forensic Science Unit at the University of Strathclyde and was the first Chair of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes Working Group on "Drugs". He has authored two books on drug analysis and written over 100 refereed and conference papers. He has also worked for the United Nations Drugs Control Programme both in the UK and at the UNDCP Centre in Vienna, and he was instrumental in leading a European consortium which developed a harmonised method for the profiling of amphetamines, a process now used in the United Kingdom, Europe, the USA and Australia.

Michael's work in this field began with the analysis and comparison of natural drugs derived from Cannabis, and he was one of the first researchers to use DNA and Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPDs) to compare Cannabis samples. From there his work moved on to the identification and comparison of plant-derived heroin samples, with a particular emphasis on new ways of using numerical methods to compare samples and predict which batch a particular sample might belong to. Recently his attention has turned to the totally synthetic drug amphetamine. The harmonised method he helped to develop allows the synthetic route of the drug to be identified, enabling direct comparison between production laboratories - the first time that this has been possible.

Michael's work is now focusing on the development of analytical methods for identification and profiling of the cathinones and piperazines - drugs controlled in some countries and not others, and which are likely to be seen with much greater frequency in the coming years.

Jenny Secker, Professor of Mental Health

The ability to find a job is central to the concept of social inclusion, and Jenny Secker is amongst the leading UK mental health researchers working in this field. The research she carried out at King's College London revealed widespread aspirations amongst mental health service users to get back to work, and evidence of the effectiveness of individual support aimed at rapid job placement convinced her of the need to introduce this approach in the UK.

Her recent studies include an evaluation, with Nottingham and City Universities and the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, of the outcomes of current employment support provision in England. After demonstrating that few service users have access to effective support, Jenny continues to work towards overcoming the barriers that currently exist, and to evaluate new services as they develop. Her joint appointment with the South Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust gives her a platform to support local service development and her research has led to the establishment of an effective, evidence-based vocational service at the Trust.

Together with colleagues from the University of Central Lancashire, Jenny also recently completed a study of the impact of arts participation on mental health and social inclusion. After clearly demonstrating a number of benefits, including increases in empowerment and social inclusion, the study is now generating a great deal of interest at policy levels. In this area too, Jenny's joint appointment has enabled her to support the development of a South Essex project that provides training for people with mental health needs in a range of artistic techniques.

In keeping with her commitment to promoting employment opportunities, Jenny involves service users in all her research and in 2004 she established the South Essex Service User Research Group (SESURG), a group of current and former mental health service users based at Anglia Ruskin. The group carries out commissioned research and consultancy, and in addition to ensuring service user involvement in research, SESURG provides its members with valuable employment and training opportunities.

Further case studies

For additional case studies detailing the research of some of our other academics please download our Excellence in Research brochure, available below.