Dr Laura Rayment

About

I began working for the University of Derby in 2013 as an Associate Academic, became a Lecturer in 2016, and am currently a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, working on a range of modules across our online Programmes.

I am currently the Programme Leader for our BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology (online) Programme which mirrors the successful on-campus degree, and this is an exciting opportunity to bring together Derby's experience in delivering online content with subject specialists and practitioners in Forensic Psychology. I am also the Deputy Programme Leader for the BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology (campus) Programme, and the Quality Assurance Lead for Psychology. I continue to teach on the BSc (Hons) Psychology (online) Programme and have a particular interest in helping new students settle into their studies with us.

I have over 20 years experience of working with distance learners of psychology at several different Universities at all levels. Whilst I naturally gravitate toward modules allied to forensic psychology, I have also delivered modules in introductory, social, developmental, cognitive, and biological psychology, and in research methods. I have extensive experience in both individual and small-group project supervision, and in using quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Prior to this, I worked in prison psychology and was involved in research into the treatment of criminal psychopaths which formed the basis of my PhD. More recently, I have completed a postgraduate study in online and distance education and have a particular interest in educational technology and MOOCs.

Teaching responsibilities

I teach on a variety of modules across our online BSc and MSc programmes in psychology and also supervise project students both on campus and online.

Research interests

My PhD research investigated criminal psychopaths on a cognitive behavioural group work programme in prison and special hospital.

Membership of professional bodies

British Psychological Society – Chartered Psychologist, Chartered Scientist, and Associate Fellow
Higher Education Academy - Senior Fellow

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Psychology and Criminology, Brunel University, 1997
MSc Forensic and Legal Psychology, University of Leicester, 1999
Diploma in Psychology (Conversion for Postgraduates), Open University, 2000
PhD Forensic Psychology, University of Surrey, 2006
MA Online and Distance Education, Open University, 2012
Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice, Open University, 2014
Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching of Psychology, Glyndwr University, 2018

Recent publications

Rayment, L. & Lennon, H. W. (2026). Social perspectives of forensic psychology. In D. Fido, M. Zangeneh, & K. Spenser (Eds.) Core foundations and contemporary issues in forensic psychology (pp. 3-20). Springer.

Rayment, L. (2026). Professional skills for applied psychology. In D. Fido, M. Zangeneh, & K. Spenser (Eds.) Core foundations and contemporary issues in forensic psychology (pp. 459-478). Springer.