She holds a Masters degree in social psychology from the University of Liverpool and a PhD from the University of Sheffield. Her main research interests are addiction, gender, criminal careers, stigma and youth studies. She has published extensively in peer reviewed journals and in a number of academic texts. In Malta she chaired the National Commission on the Abuse of Drugs, Alcohol and other Drugs, is an assistant to the magistrate on the juvenile court and a member of the Centre for Freedom from Addictions, President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society.