Dr Melissa de Vel-Palumbo
Dr Melissa de Vel-Palumbo's research operates at the intersection of criminology and psychology, applying psychological theories and methodologies to better understand, prevent, and manage criminal behavior. Ultimately, Dr de Vel-Palumbo’s work aims to improve outcomes for individuals who have committed crimes, thereby reducing the wider social costs of crime. She is trained in both quantitative and qualitative methods—including experimental design, program evaluation, surveys, scale development, validation, and qualitative interviews—and has also trained as a clinical (forensic) psychologist.
A key focus of her research is the rehabilitation and reintegration of people who have committed crime. She explores this from both a theoretical perspective—examining how individuals process wrongdoing and the psychological factors that lead to positive behavioral change—and a practical perspective, assessing the effects of particular criminal justice interventions and procedures. She has made significant contributions to understanding the role of identity transformation in promoting desistance from crime, thereby informing strategies for effective rehabilitation.
Dr de Vel-Palumbo also investigates the beliefs and attitudes held by professionals within the criminal justice system and society at large. By examining moral judgments, punitive attitudes, and justice-related cognitions, she shines light on biases that influence key decisions and policies. Her work in this area helps challenge entrenched beliefs and promotes approaches that facilitate reintegration and reduce re-offending.