Kylie completed a BA in History and Politics in Liverpool John Moores University and a MA in Sociology (Youth, Community and Social Regeneration) at UL. Her master’s thesis, based on the 2012 Belfast flag protests was used as a resource by Dr Richard Haass in the Panel of Parties in the NI Executive to better understand how to deal with the political situation and also used by Queen’s University Belfast in their research; Anatomy of a Protest.

Kylie’s career has focused on working with vulnerable people in residential and secure care accommodation, particularly children and young people. She has also worked for the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive before working with the homeless community.

Kylie’s PhD will focus on the support systems available to young people as they transition out of the care system and whether their access to and use of these support systems impacts their interaction with the criminal justice system.