Emma completed her BSc degree in Psychology at Ulster University in 2005 and immediately went on to complete an MSc degree in Applied Psychology, also at Ulster University. After this she commenced employment in the Northern Ireland Prison Service as a custody officer. Emma left this role in 2008 to pursue an MSc in Applied Forensic Psychology at the University of York, graduating in 2010. Following this, she was awarded a scholarship to undertake doctoral studies looking at psychological well-being in therapeutic prison officers at Birmingham City University and earned her PhD in 2016.

From 2015-2018 Emma worked as a Research Associate at Ulster University on a Forces in Mind Trust-funded project looking at well-being in military veterans living in Northern Ireland.

Emma's interests span both forensic and occupational psychology, with a particular emphasis on stress and well-being in ‘high-stress’ uniformed occupations. Outside of work she enjoy Pilates, working on her novel and spending time with her twins.