Dr Nicola Preston

Nicola is Deputy Head of Education in the Faculty of Health, Education and Society at the University of Northampton . She is a senior lecturer in inclusive studies, special educational needs, disability and diversity and programme lead for the National Award in SEN Co-ordination. She teaches on Undergraduate and Master's programmes and works with Psychology on the Education Mental Health Practitioner programme.

She has 25 years of experience as a practitioner and researcher in restorative justice and restorative practices and is adjunct faculty for the International Institute for Restorative Practices Graduate School based in Pennsylvania. Nicola Preston completed her PhD at the University of Northampton, UK investigating relational approaches to school exclusion and has presented extensively on the subject both nationally and internationally.

Before taking up her current academic role, Nicola has been an operational police officer and more recently a primary school (4-11) teacher, special educational needs co-ordinator and safeguarding lead in schools in areas of high deprivation. She has been involved in research and practice in this field of restorative justice since 1996. Nicola has a BA (Hons) in psychology and two Masters degrees. She is a member of the European Forum for Restorative Justice and is a member of the British Psychological Society.