Dr Helen Selby-Fell

Professional biography

Much of Helen’s work relating to Evidence Based Practice (EBP), has explored the challenges (and facilitators) associated with embedding an EBP approach in the police service. Helen has wide ranging research interests including the conceptualisation and implementation of EBP, decision making, organisational culture & leadership, analytics and crime analysis, and forensic psychology in policing. 

Helen has recently been a CI on a research project examining senior police decision-making in the context of radical uncertainties and unexpected events generated by the pandemic crisis. This research drew upon interviews with 16 senior officers and staff in two UK police forces: a large metropolitan force and a smaller force with significant elements of rural and coastal policing. The findings from the research have been presented to the participating forces, and have resulted in a number of outputs.

Linked to her interest in crime analysis, Helen has recently undertaken work to explore various facets of ‘dog theft’ (working with Dr Daniel Allen from Keele University). This research has provided a clearer picture into the extent and nature of the problem in England & Wales, as well as providing an insight into 'victim impact'. The work has also highlighted the limitations and caveats associated with various sources of ‘dog theft’ data (in particular, police data). Helen & Daniel worked with a number of police forces, animal charities and other organisations throughout the duration of the research, including OPAL (the National Intelligence Unit for Serious Organised Acquisitive Crime). Their early research findings were used to inform OPAL’s ‘National Dog Theft Summary’ (circulated to all forces in England & Wales in March 2021). During the Spring 2021, Helen attended meetings with the Home Office, DEFRA and the MoJ to discuss their research. In April 2021 the government set up a ‘Pet Theft Taskforce’ to gather evidence to understand the problem, and to recommend measures to tackle it. Helen & Daniel were invited to present to the Taskforce where they outlined their early research findings and offered recommendations, including the need to introduce a specific ‘crime type’ for dog theft. In September (2021) the Home Office published the ‘Pet Theft Taskforce Policy Paper Pet Theft Taskforce (publishing.service.gov.uk) in which Helen & Daniel's research was heavily cited as the evidence base underpinning the report. The report made a number or recommendation designed to tackle the theft of dogs, including the development of legislative options for a new ’pet abduction’ offence (to acknowledge the welfare of sentient animals). The Pet Abduction Bill was one of the final pieces of legislation passed before the General Election, with legislation to make pet abduction a criminal offence receiving Royal Assent on 24th May 2024. The law came into place in England with effect from 24th August 2024. Helen is now in the early stages of planning further research to explore the implications for police forces and evaluate the impact of the new legislation.

Helen holds a Post-Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice and FHEA status. Helen has led production and presentation, and is currently Module Chair for a level 6 module. Helen has experince of supervising PhD students to completion: one of whom examined the sustainability of police-academic partnerships in the UK, and the other is exploring the role of big data in the context of crime analysis in the police service (UK and Dubai).

In her previous SL role Helen designed and delivered a new suite of undergraduate and postgraduate modules & programmes relating to 'Evidence Based- Practice' (EBP). In this role role Helen went on to be the Lead for 'Advanced Research Methods' accross all MSc policing programmes (and co-led the postgraduate dissertation module). Linked to this, Helen has much experience in the supervision of dissertation students, including practitioners studying part-time (at different levels of the organisation).

Helen's teaching interests and experience also includes: evidence-based practice, governance & accountability, multi-agency working, advanced research methods, contemporary issues in policing, crime analaysis, forensic psychology.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS AND CONFERENCES

Baxter, J, Selby-Fell, H and Gilbert, A. Eds. (in press, 2025). Critical reflections on digital teaching and SoTL in business and law. In Creativity and Critique in digital learning and teaching: Insights for learning design in Business and Law. Palgrave Macmillan.

Baxter, J, Selby-Fell, H and Gilbert, A. (in press, 2025). Where are we now with digital teaching? Critical reflections on digital teaching and SoTL in business and law. In Creativity and Critique in digital learning and teaching: Insights for learning design in Business and Law. Palgrave Macmillan.

Selby-Fell, H. & Pepper, I. (in press, 2025). Research Methods for Evidence Based Policing (EBP). In: Pepper, I. & McGrath, R. Introduction to Professional Policing: Examining the Evidence Base. Second Edition. Abington: Routledge.

Myers, F., Baxter, J., Selby-Fell, H. & Pachón, A. M. (2024). Navigating from industry to Higher Education: Practitioner transitions to academic life. British Educational Research Journal, 00, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1002/berj.4109.

Selby-Fell, H & Salter, A. (2024). The Scholarship of Teaching & Learning in (UK) Police Education. Society for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (ISSOTL) Conference: Establishing What Works?  Thursday 31st October 2024. French Lick Springs, Indiana University, USA.

Fenton-O’Creevy, M., Miller, N., Selby-Fell, H. & Bowles, B. (2024). Policing the pandemic: Deciding and acting in the face of uncertainty and the unexpected. In: Dickinson, H., Smith, C., Yates, S. & O’Flynn, J. Research Handbook on Public Management and COVID-19. Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd.

Baxter, J., Selby-Fell, H & Myers, F. & Morales, A. (2023). Practitioner to Academic: Transition identities in a UK digital Business School. International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (ISSOTL) Conference: Context Matter. Thursday 9th November 2023. Centre for Academic Teaching and Learning, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.

Baxter, J. Gilbert, A. & Selby-Fell, H. (2023). The future of scholarship in FBL: how do we achieve an evidence-based curriculum? Annual Festival of Scholarship: Innovations and Challenges in the Student Journey. Faculty of Business & Law, The Open University. Wednesday 19th April 2023.Virtual Conference (MS Teams).

Selby-Fell, H. (2023). Starting out in Scholarship. Stories form the Chalk Face: Insights & Innovations. Joint Seminar- SCiLAB, The Open University Business School & Warwick Business School. SCILAB, Faculty of Business & Law, The Open University. Thursday 23rd March 2023.Virtual Conference (MS Teams).

Roach, J.& Selby-Fell. (2023). Policing & Forensic Psychology. In: Corteen, K., Steele, R., Cross, N. & McManus. Forensic Psychology, Crime and Policing: Key Issues and Practical Debates. The Bristol University Press.

Selby-Fell, H. & Roach, J. (2023). Police & Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and Policing. In: Corteen, K., Steele, R., Cross, N. & McManus. Forensic Psychology, Crime and Policing: Key Issues and Practical Debates. The Bristol University Press.

Selby-Fell, H & Newton, A. (2022). Embedding Evidence Based Policing (EBP): A UK Case Study Exploring Organisational Challenges. The Police Journal: Theory, Practice & Principles. 

Miller, N., Fenton-O’Creevy, M., Selby-Fell, H., & Bowles, B. (2022). Policing Uncertainty, Decisions and Actions in a National Emergency. Paper presented at the Royal Society Science meeting: Confronting radical uncertainty, Royal Society, London.

Allen, D., Arathoon, J. & Selby-Fell, H. (2022). Experiences of dog theft and spatial practices of searching. The Geographical Journal. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/geoj.12474

Fenton-O’Creevy, M., Miller, N., Selby-Fell, H. & Bowles, B. (2022). Policing Uncertainty, Decisions and Actions in a National Emergency. A report on findings to the participating forces. Centre for Police Research & Learning (CPRL), The Open University. Unpublished (confidential report for participating forces).

Selby-Fell, H. and Allen, D. (2021). The Nature & Extent of Dog Theft in England & Wales. Presented at the inaugural Pet Theft Taskforce meeting. Pet Theft Taskforce - Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Home Office and Ministry of Justice with operational partners. 12th May 2021, London.

Williams, E., Selby-Fell, H., & Miller, N. (2021). Resilience of Evidence based Policing. Centre for Police Research & Learning (CPRL), Annual Conference: Resilience in Policing and Publics
Monday 26th April - Thursday 29th April 2021.Virtual Conference (MS Teams).

Fenton-O’Creevy, M., Miller, N., Selby-Fell, H. & Bowles, B. (2021). Policing Uncertainty: The Resilience of Two UK Police Forces in the Context of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Centre for Police Research & Learning (CPRL), Annual Conference: Resilience in Policing and Publics
Monday 26th April - Thursday 29th April 2021.Virtual Conference (MS Teams).

Selby-Fell, H. and Allen, D. (2021) Dog Theft: What can we infer from the evidence so far? 
24th February 2021. Available at: http://www.pettheftreform.com/research

Selby-Fell, H. (2020). Research Methods for Evidence Based Policing (EBP). In: Pepper, I. & McGrath, R. (2020) Introduction to Professional Policing: Examining the Evidence Base. Abington: Routledge.

Selby-Fell, H. (2018). The Conceptualisation of Evidence Based Policing (EBP) and the Challenges & Opportunities for Implementation. Report prepared for the College of Policing. (to accompany presentation to the Research, Evidence & Partnerships Team, Priestly House, London, UK).

Selby-Fell, H. (2018). The Conceptualisation of Evidence Based Policing (EBP) and the Challenges & Opportunities for Implementation. Presentation to the Research, Evidence & Partnerships Team, College of Policing. Priestly House, London, UK.

Selby-Fell, H. (2018). Embedding Evidence Based Policing (EBP) in the police service. EBP Summit. College of Policing, Ryton. UK.

Selby-Fell, H. (2017). Evidence Based Policing (EBP) Implementation Action Plan. Merseyside Police Practitioner Report for Chief Officers.

Selby-Fell, H. (2017). Embedding Evidence Based Policing (EBP): A Case Study exploring Challenges & Opportunities. PhD Thesis. University of Huddersfield.

Selby-Fell, H. (2017). Changing Attitudes to Research Evidence. In: Society for Evidence Based Policing, Winter Conference, 3rd March 2017. Northampton, UK.

Selby-Fell, H. (2017). EBP: A View from the Front Line. Police Professional. 7th May, 2017, Issue 554.

Selby-Fell, H. (2016).  Arrested Developments: Reflections on the implementation of evidence-based policing in England and Wales. What Works Global Summit, 26-28 September, Bloomsbury, London, UK.

Selby, H. (2015) Merseyside Crime Victims Research Programme. Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside (OPCCM) https://www.merseysidepcc.info/home/down-to-business/victim-research-programme-201415.aspx

Guilfoyle, S. & Selby, H. (2014). Statistics Workshop. Better Policing Collaborative. Birmingham Police Force Headquarters. UK.

Botterill, D., Selby, M. & Selby, H. (2010). Tourism, Image & Fear of Crime. In: Botterill, D & Jones, T. (2010) Tourism & Crime: Key Themes. Goodfellow Press.

Selby, H. & Canter, D.V. (2009). Control Strategies Employed by Street Prostitutes. In: Canter, D. & Ioannou, M. & Youngs, D. (2009). Sex and Violence: The Experience and Management of Street Prostitution. Aldershot: Ashgate.

Selby, H. & Laycock, G. (2009). Bringing Crime Science to Merseyside: The Merseyside Approach. Principles of Crime Science in Policing. Conference. 16th November 2009. Partnership for Learning, Liverpool, UK.

Selby H (2008). Perceptions of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB). In: National Community Safety and Neighbourhood Policing Conference, 20th April 2008, Birmingham, UK.

Reece, R. & Selby, H. (2007). An Investigation into Burglary on Merseyside. National Crime Mapping Conference. University College London, Jill Dando Institute of Security & Crime Science. London, UK.

Selby, H (2006). Anti-social Behaviour (ASB): Measurement, Analysis and Intervention. In: Annual Police Performance Conference, 30th January 2006, Canary Wharf, London, UK.

Selby, H. (2004). Social & Psychological Consequences of Violent Victimization: A Review. Crime Prevention and Community Safety: An International Journal. Perpetuity Press. Volume 6, Number 1.

Selby, H & Hirschfield, A. (2003) Fear of Crime in the Elderly. Liverpool University: Environmental Criminology Research Unit (ECRU). (Unpublished).

Selby, H (2003). Measuring Fear of Crime: Home Office study. In: 3rd Annual Conference of the European Society of Criminology, 27th-30th August 2003, Helsinki, Finland.

Selby, H (2002). Profiling Stranger Sexual Offenders. Lancashire Constabulary. University of Liverpool: Centre for Investigative Psychology. (Unpublished)

SELECTED GUEST LECTURES

Selby-Fell, H. (2024). Embedding Evidence Based Policing (EBP). Conceptualisation and Implementation in the UK Police Service. Centre for Investigative Psychology, School of Psychology. University of Liverpool. UK.

Selby-Fell, H. (2023). Embedding Evidence Based Practice in the Police Services: Challenges & Opportunities. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), PEEL Communication Session, Continued Professional Development (CPD) event. 9th May 2023 (MS Teams).

Selby-Fell, H. (2023). Embedding Evidence Based Policing (EBP) and Crime Analysis in the Police Service. Centre for Investigative Psychology, School of Psychology. University of Liverpool. UK.

Selby-Fell, H. (2022). Evidence Based Policing (EBP): Challenges & Opportunities. Centre for Investigative Psychology, School of Psychology. University of Liverpool. UK.

Selby-Fell, H (2019). Embedding Evidence Based Policing (EBP): Lessons from a UK Case Study. Faculty of Criminal Justice & Security, University of Maribor, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Selby-Fell, H (2018). Embedding Evidence Based Policing (EBP): A Case Study exploring Challenges & Opportunities. College of Policing, Ryton. UK.

Selby, Fell, H. (2014- 2018). ‘Theory into Practice: Evidence Based Problem Solving.’ International Police Leadership Programme, College of Policing, Sunningdale, Berkshire. UK.

Selby, H. (2011- 2014). ‘The Role of Crime Analysts’.  International Centre for Investigative Psychology, Human & Health Sciences. University of Huddersfield. UK.

Selby, H. (2010). ‘Environmental Criminology & Crime Mapping in UK Policing’. Criminology Department, School of Humanities & Social Science. Liverpool John Moores University. UK.

Selby, H. (2009). ‘Problem Solving Crime Analysis in the UK Police Service. ‘Dublin, An Garda Siochana. Ireland.

Selby, H. (2005 -2010) (various Guest Lectures) Centre for Investigative Psychology, School of Psychology. University of Liverpool. UK.