Elizabeth Smart

I am a Professor of Legal Education and Head of the School of Law at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. I am a National Teaching Fellow and Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I am also an associate for  the Office for Students and for the Quality Assurance Agency UK.   I serve with the PCC for South Yorkshire on the Independent Ethics Panel advising on diversity and violence against women and girls.  I am a Non-Executive Director of the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority serving on the Board and ensuring public trust and confidence in professional legal services.

I am a practising solicitor and professional consultant who has worked at a national level with the police service providing training in courtroom skills; active defence and also assessed with the National College of Policing at a senior level and direct entry.  I work with police forces nationwide improving their strategic approach to investigations and surveillance work.

I have had the privilege to work with Practice to Progress since its inception. The mission and values of Practice to Progress strongly resonate with my own and I am committed to providing opportunities which support access; progression; success and ultimately fairness for all. I have worked with over 100 candidates providing support to succeed in entry to the Metropolitan Police; mentoring for senior officers; support to officers from Lincolnshire Police aspiring to succeed the Fast Track promotion process; Police Scotland in respect of promotion to senior ranks and also coordinating scholarships and sponsorships from external organisations.

I am tremendously proud of the work that P2P does and continues to do and I genuinely value the commitment and dedication of all my P2P colleagues who have been an inspiration to me over the years.