Dr Oliver Merry BSc., MSc., QTS., PhD
Senior Lecturer of Forensic Psychology
Summary
I am a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, Course Leader for the BSc (Hons) Criminology & Psychology degree, and co-lead for the Preventing, Ï㽶ÊÓƵing, and Investigating Criminality and Exploitation (PRICE) theme within the Centre for Behavioural Science and Applied Psychology (CeBSAP). In this role I oversee the experience of all students studying on this course and contribute to the module leading and teaching. I am also research active in the area of technology-assisted sexual violence, child protection, and online harm. As a researcher, I have worked with a range of UK police forces, the home office, and the NSPCC.
About
I originally completed my BSc (Hons) in Criminology & Psychology here at Sheffield Hallam between 2010 - 2013, winning the student of the year award. I later completed my MSc Investigative Psychology with distinction at the University of Huddersfield in 2016 where I was also awarded the Chancellor's prize. I completed my PhD in early 2020 with a programme of research entitled "Child Grooming: Predicting Level of Risk to Prioritise Offenders".
My current research focus revolves around technology-assisted sexual violence, child protection, and other online harms. I have completed funded research for the NSPCC exploring the risks of sexual harm in competitive online video games and eSports. I am currently involved in the 3PO project exploring the online harms that public-facing professionals and their dependents experience online. I have also completed small research projects for South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (SY VRU). I also actively supervise PhD students and welcome other applicants.
I am currently a member of the South Yorkshire Police evidence-based policing board and a reviewer for the 'Sexual Offending: Theory, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and Prevention" journal.
Teaching
Sheffield Institute of Social Sciences
College of Social Sciences and Arts
Subject area:
- Preventing, Ï㽶ÊÓƵing, and Investigating Criminality and Exploitation (PRICE)
- Forensic and Investigative Ï㽶ÊÓƵ (FAIR) group
- Psychology
Courses taught:
- BSc (Hons) Psychology
- BSc (Hons) Criminology & Psychology
- MSc Forensic Psychology
Modules taught:
- Investigative Psychology
- Theories of Criminal Behaviour
- Forensic Psychology
- Applied Cyberpsychology
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
2022-2025: Protecting public-facing professionals and their dependents online (3PO), funded by UKRI
2021: South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit Evaluation, funded by South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner
2021: Guidebook for First Responders of Child Sexual Exploitation Victims: Project GRACE, funded by European Commission
2019-2022: Investigating the Risk of Sexual Harm to Young People who Engage in Competitive Online Gaming and eSports, funded by National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
2016-2020: Child Grooming: Predicting Level of Risk to Prioritise Offenders, funded by Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
2016-2017: Fighting International Internet Paedophilia (FIIP2), funded by the Home Office
- 3PO: Protecting public-facing professionals and their dependents online
- Investigating the risk of sexual harm to young people who engage in competitive online gaming and eSports (NSPCC)
Publications
Journal articles
Merry, O., & Whitfield, K. (2024). . Journal of Interpersonal Violence: concerned with the study and treatment of victims and perpetrators of physical and sexual violence.
Reports
Partridge, B., Whitfield, K., Merry, O., & Coleman, C. (2025). Specialist Sexual Violence Support Ï㽶ÊÓƵ: Reflections and Lessons Learned.
Merry, O., & Whitfield, K. (2024). 3PO: Social Media Analysis. (Issue 1). 3PO Project.
Merry, O. (2017). Fighting International Internet Paedophilia (FIIP2).
Presentations
Bradshaw, H., Merry, O., & Whitfield, K. (2023). Risk and protective factors associated with online sexual harm for children. Presented at: BPS Cyberpsychology Conference, Newcastle, UK
Merry, O., & Whitfield, K. (2023). Online child sexual grooming offences committed by video game streamers and eSports professionals. Presented at: BPS Cyberpsychology Conference, Newcastle, UK
Merry, O., Gerard, F.J., & Whitfield, K. (2018). Current Knowledge on the Differences between Contact and Non-Contact Child Grooming Offenders. Presented at: British Psychological Society's Division of Forensic Psychology Annual Conference, Newcastle, UK
Other activities
- Member of the South Yorkshire Police Evidenced-based Policing Board
- Reviewer for the 'Sexual Offending: Theory, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and Prevention' journal
Postgraduate supervision
2021 - Present: Online behaviour and risk of sexual harm associated with online gaming
2020 - Present: Families in Crisis: Family Relationships, Abuse and Coping during the Covid-19 Lockdowns