Meet the Team
Black Box Research & Consultancy
Dr Grace Robinson
Grace is the Executive Director of Black Box Research and Consultancy Ltd. Having completed her Ph.D on Urban Street Gangs, Child Criminal Exploitation and County Lines, Grace is able to offer some of the first insights into an area with little existing literature. She is a Rights Lab Research Fellow in Modern Slavery Perpetrators and Organised Crime at the University of Nottingham, where she works on a UKRI-funded project exploring the effect of COVID-19 on Child Criminal Exploitation and County Lines. Grace has shared her research across the country, participating in podcasts, radio interviews and the BBC documentary Inside Out. She regularly delivers lectures, workshops and training across the country to a wide variety of audiences, including; children and young people, students, practitioners and faith groups.
Martha O'Neil
Martha attained a first in Human, Social, and Political Sciences from Trinity College, Cambridge. From there she went on to work in Public Affairs, specialising in political engagement and research. In 2021 she completed the Graduate Diploma in Law at City, University of London. Martha joined Black Box soon after, and is currently working on resource materials and outreach. She has a particular interest in understanding the intersectional dynamics underpinning disproportionate policing, the law in relations to trans-rights, domestic and sexual abuse, and FGM. She has spoken on radio and TV numerous times on current affairs. Most recently, this involved discussing sexual harassment and women's safety.
Francine McKeown
Francine is a Senior Consultant at Black Box. She has worked in the criminal justice system, particularly within substance misuse, for 15 years where she has supported both children and adults. Francine is a qualified Probation Officer and has recently taken up the role of Regional Manager at We Are With You (North West), an organisation offering advice to those in need of support in relation to drugs, alcohol or mental health.
Mike Andrews
Mike brings over thirty years experience in his field, twenty of which as a senior account manager with multinational companies. With an extensive history in business management, Mike is an advisor to Black Box Research and Consultancy and is responsible for all aspects of credit control within the company.