Christopher Dean (BSc, MSc, C.Psychol. AFBPS, C.Sci)

Chris is a consultant forensic psychologist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, a chartered psychologist, a chartered scientist, and associate fellow of the British Psychological Society.

He has worked as a forensic psychologist for over 20 years in prison, probation, parole and hospital settings, including in His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) headquarters.

From 2008 - 2015 he was a member and then head of a specialist team in HMPPS who pioneered the development of innovative,  psychologically-informed assessments and interventions to prevent extremism, terrorism and group-based violence. These include the Extremism Risk Guidance (ERG 22+), Healthy Identity Intervention (HII) and Identity Matters (IM).  

As an internationally recognised subject matter expert, Chris has provided consultancy and technical assistance to government and non-governmental organisations and agencies globally. He has authored over 30 publications in this field, including manuals, guidelines, handbooks, academic papers/chapters and policy briefs; notably the Council of Europe’s Handbook for Prison and Probation Services Regarding Radicalisation and Violent Extremism.

He has trained professionals globally in the assessment, rehabilitation, management and reintegration of individuals who pose a risk of being involved in ideological violence.

He is a senior fellow at the Global Centre on Co-operative Security (UK) where he continues to develop and deliver the Countering Violent Extremism in Prisons (CVE-P) training and consultancy programme to support prison and probation services internationally.

His current and previous roles include being a clinical lead, consultant, policy developer, parole board member, practitioner, project manager, researcher, senior manager, supervisor and trainer.