Dr Helen Simpson is a qualitative researcher interested in policing policy and practice, digital criminology, domestic and family violence service provision, the treatment of victims, the policing of right wing extremism and criminal justice processes. She also lectures in applied policing at the NSW Police Academy. Her PhD thesis was an evaluation of Domestic Violence Evidence-in-Chief (DVEC), the audio-visual statements taken from domestic violence complainants following a criminal incident and used as evidence in court, and her Master thesis was about frontline officers perspectives of the way they interview complainants of crime. Her research into DVEC, and the colocation of DFV workers into NSW police stations have been utilised to inform policy and practice.

Helen recently completed a community research project with Women Illawarra that considers what women need to navigate technologically facilitated domestic violence (e-DFV). She was also involved and/or continues to be involved in a council funded Community Matters Study, research exploring the intersection between gambling and domestic violence, and a workplace project that considers staff care guided by Country.