Dr Stephanie Scott-Smith
Research Fellow
Stephanie is a registered and chartered forensic psychologist with a PhD in Security Studies and Criminology (Macquarie University, Australia). She has extensive experience leading Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) initiatives in both custodial and community contexts. Stephanie has expertise in violent extremist risk assessment and management, combining psychological insights with security-focused practice. Her work has informed the design of risk frameworks, shaped policy approaches, and guided frontline interventions.
Stephanie is also the co-founder of the Pax-Caledonia Network, which fosters collaboration between practitioners, researchers, and policymakers working in counter-extremism and counterterrorism across Scotland and the UK.
Before specialising in CVE, Stephanie worked with complex offender populations, involving multiple and competing clinical, forensic, and management needs. She has also worked with young people in the out-of-home care system who have experienced significant trauma and neglect.
Stephanie’s work is driven by a commitment to connecting research with real-world practice, ensuring that innovative evidence-based approaches underpin responses to today’s most pressing security challenges.