ºüÀêÊÓƵ

Ashleigh Whitwell

Associate Lecturer

School of Health and Wellbeing

Department of Community, Social Justice and Health

Contact Details

email: a.whitwell@worc.ac.uk

Ashleigh joins the ºüÀêÊÓƵ of Worcester while in the final stages of her PhD. This research is focused on understanding the physical, psychological and practical needs of older prisoners and whether those responsible for their care are appropriately meeting and responding to them. All research was carried out with prisoners and prison staff at HMP Stafford and is due to completed in early 2026.

Alongside this, Ashleigh has worked in prison education since 2017, completing her PGCE teaching placement at HMP Hewell and securing full-time employment there afterwards. Over eight years, Ashleigh has worked in a number of different roles within prison education. She has extensive experience teaching in prisons, working across a wide range of subjects (including Functional Skills English & Maths, ESOL and Mentoring) with adult males both convicted of an offence and on remand. In her most recent role, Ashleigh has worked as a Digital Learning Manager, supporting both learners and staff with using the digital technology available in prisons to enhance teaching, learning and assessment. In these roles, Ashleigh has worked in and visited many prisons across England and Wales.

Ashleigh is passionate about many aspects of Criminology and has a keen interest in prisons and punishment, rehabilitation, justice and factors that underpin criminal behaviour. Similarly, Ashleigh also has a passion for education, teaching and supporting learners with their individual learning needs. She is excited to transfer her existing teaching knowledge and experience across to higher education and support those undertaking their social science degrees.