Dr Mia Scally

Biography

Mia Scally is a chartered psychologist (British Psychological Society), and a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology - Forensic Criminology with the Department of Law and Social Sciences.

Mia is currently programme leader for our MSc Criminology with Forensic Psychology course (2022-ongoing) and was previously programme leader for BA Criminology with Psychology (2016-2023) and BA Sociology with Psychology (2019-2021).

Mia takes an active role in improving the student experience. Most recently Mia has worked with CAPE, colleagues in Criminology/Sociology and students across the department to develop feedback guides and tools that are comprehensive, easy to use and will help students get the most from their assessed coursework. The feedback working group, led by Mia, developed some video guides for staff and students to support the feedback process. The feedback templates (labelled as 'gold-standard' by one of our external examiners) are now being used across the department.

Please see Learning and Teaching Interests for more.

Prior to this, Mia taught at the University of West London and was a research associate with both the Centre for Abuse and Trauma Studies (Middlesex University) and Forensic Psychological Services (Middlesex University).

Mia also has previous practical experience with Victim Support and Her Majesty's Prison Service.

Teaching

Mia is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy and teaches first year undergraduate students through to masters students. Mia specialises in: Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse; Victimisation; Violence against Women and Girls; Forensic Psychology.

Mia is a mixed-methods researcher with experience in quantitative, qualitative and visual methods. Mia previously module led the core MSc Criminology with Forensic Psychology research methods module, and specialises in quantitative analysis.

Mia has experience teaching a range of topics including research methods, offender rehabilitation, violence against women and children (for example, online child sexual abuse, intimate partner violence amongst young people, sexual and domestic violence and abuse) and other forensic psychological topics.

Mia comes from a psychological perspective, allowing students to widen their understanding of key criminological topics and approach topics in an interdisciplinary way. Pedagogically, Mia is a firm believer in active learning and reflective teaching, incorporating methods such as problem-based learning, flipped classrooms and other such forms in her teaching.

In addition to programme leadership, Mia also takes an active role in improving the student experience. Most recently Mia has worked with CAPE, colleagues in Criminology/Sociology and students across the department to develop feedback guides and tools that are comprehensive, easy to use and will help students get the most from their assessed coursework. The feedback working group, led by Mia, developed some video guides for staff and students to support the feedback process. The feedback templates (labelled as 'gold-standard' by one of our external examiners) are now being used across the department. 

Teaching Awards:

2016-17: Shortlisted - Academic Staff Member of the Year (Law), MDXSU Awards

2016-17: Nominated - Most Inspiring Teacher category, MDXSU Awards

2017-18: Shortlisted - Academic Staff Member of the Year (Law), MDXSU Awards

2018-19: Nominated - Academic Staff Member of the Year (Law), MDXSU Awards

2019-20: Nominated - Academic Staff Member of the Year (Law), MDXSU Awards

2019-20: Nominated - Innovative Teaching Award category, MDXSU Awards

2020-21: Nominated - MDX Staff Awards

2021-22: Shortlisted - Academic Staff Member of the Year (Law), MDXSU Awards / Winner - Innovative Teaching Award, MDXSU Awards

Extra-curricular:

Mia engages with students through various extra-curricular methods on top of her teaching role, for example by running activities such as:

 - Problem-Based Learning Workshop Series: Murder, Hostages and Lies is a problem-based workshop series designed to get you thinking about case studies and applying the skills you have learnt so far. It is not for the faint-hearted and you should come ready to participate and engage! All the sessions are developed to support you, but with you directing your learning first and foremost. From hostage negotiation, to profiling, to insanity - there is something for everyone. Please remember - this isn't a CPD course! It's a fun way to learn. Don't try to negotiate with hostage takers as a result of this workshop.

 - Gender-Based Violence Events and Exhibitions: From art installations to interdisciplinary mock rape trials (Criminology Department, School of Law & Performing Arts Department), these events are organised to get you thinking by engaging in the conversation. To read more about last year's exhibition and the donation drive for a local refuge, see this blog post.

 - Create your Future! Podcast series: In conjunction with other programme leaders in Criminolgy, we ask professionals in the field questions that students want to know the answers to! All employability related, have a listen to find out their expert tips on becoming graduate employable and landing that dream job.

 - Raise your Voice! Student Blog: A space for our students to share their opinion on relevant topics. Criminology and Sociology students can submit a blog post on a topic of their choice, no longer than 500 words, and using evidence. You can find the blog here. Email submissions to Mia (m.scally@mdx.ac.uk).