Professor Ray Bull

UN report recommends Exeter alumnus’ interview technique

An interview technique developed with an Exeter alumnus in the early 1990s, has been recommended for wider use in a United Nations report.

PEACE (planning, engagement, account, closure and evaluation) was introduced following joint work between police and psychologists, including University of Exeter graduate Professor Ray Bull.

Professor Bull studied Psychology at the University in the late 1960s, early 1970s, before going on to begin a PhD.

However a year into his research his plans changed, when he was approached by Professor Reid, the Head of Psychology, who asked him to work on a different project with the police.

Looking back now, Ray says: “Exeter was incredibly important in kick-starting my career. I had no predetermined plan; I was the first person in my family to go to university and was just taking every opportunity that I could.

“The project I was working on was only supposed to be for one year but it was going so well the Home Office funded a second. I was able to get some work published and that’s what led to me working on the PEACE research in the 1980s and 90s.

“I have great memories of my time at Exeter. Not only did it lay the foundations for my future career, it was great fun and allowed me to experience so many things. During my final year I was President of the Psychology Society and also President of Raddon House, the student accommodation I lived in at Birks Halls. Plus I served on the Guild social events committee for five years.”

To read more about PEACE and Professor Bull’s work, see the article in the Psychologist Magazine.

Date: 23 January 2017