Professor Jenny Pearce is the Director of the University’s International Centre: Researching child sexual exploitation, violence and trafficking. Awarded an OBE in the 2014 New Year’s Honours for her work on safeguarding vulnerable children, Jenny Pearce is also the University’s Professor of Young People and Public Policy.

Commenting on her appointment Professor Pearce said:

“I am honoured to have been appointed to the panel of such an important inquiry. It is vital that the mistakes of the past are identified, and that lessons are learned so they are not repeated. This will safeguard the future of thousands of children.

“I look forward to working alongside my peers on the panel and will do my utmost to provide expert insight into the issues being addressed.”

Last year the University was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize, the highest form of national recognition for universities in the UK, for its pioneering applied research in child sexual exploitation (CSE), influencing new safeguarding policy and practice.

The International Centre is renowned for its research, teaching and learning on CSE, child protection and related work. The Centre works closely with nationally-respected charities, and has been awarded over £1,275,000 of major national and European funding over the past five years.

Congratulating Professor Pearce on her appointment, Bill Rammell, the University of Bedfordshire’s Vice Chancellor, said:

“Jenny Pearce’s appointment to this important inquiry, following the award of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize, is a clear demonstration of the quality and relevance of the University of Bedfordshire’s ground-breaking research in this area of vital social concern.

“By addressing the societal challenge of child sexual exploitation, the University is making an impact on policy and practice that will change the lives of many young people.”

The inquiry will be chaired by Fiona Woolf, CBE JP. The current Lord Mayor of London, Ms Woolf is a former president of the Law Society.