Mystery & Crime Lecture 2023 – Dr Celine van Golde

Dr Celine van Golde, Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Sydney, joins us for the SMSA Mystery & Crime Lecture 2023. After her fantastic & hugely popular talk at SMSA in 2022 on the Psychology of Crime Investigations we have invited her back for another lecture at SMSA.

This year Celine will look at the psychology behind pardons and wrongful convictions. Specifically, we look at the role of scientific evidence in the legal system, and how easily it can be misunderstood. Last week, Kathleen Folbigg was pardoned after spending 20 years in jail. The pardon was driven by new scientific evidence that created reasonable doubt about her guilt.  The lecture will also focus on life after exoneration. While being exonerated might seem like a story book ending, it’s often when real challenges start.

About Dr Celine van Golde: 

Dr Celine van Golde is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Sydney. Her research focuses on the reliability of eyewitness memory in children and adults, both for one-off and repeated events. Specifically, how interviewing techniques in forensic settings, such as those used by police, lawyers and judges can affect memory accuracy. She gives annual guest lectures within the NSW Police Force Detective Training Program, as well as advising judges and lawyers on issues related to eyewitness memory.  

Celine is also the founder and director of Not Guilty: the Sydney Exoneration Project, which assesses cases of potential wrongful convictions. 

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Free event – all welcome

Registration to attend this event is essential.