Meet the Speakers | Annual Public Lecture - Keeping Young People Safe Online

4th Feb 2026

Online spaces shape how children and young people learn, connect and grow, but they also bring real risks. Our Annual Public Lecture 2026 brings together experienced voices from policing, community, education and mental health to explore how we can better protect and support young people online.

📍 Room EHB110A/B, Edward Herbert Building, Loughborough University
📆 Wednesday 25 February 2026
🕖 7.00 pm - 8.30 pm

Book your place here.

Keynote Speakers

Grace Strong

Director of Prevention, Leicestershire Police

Grace Strong is Director of Prevention at Leicestershire Police and a qualified Probation Officer, with extensive experience across the Criminal Justice system in prevention, public protection and early intervention. 

She has led the design and delivery of complex, multi-agency programmes focused on reducing harm and supporting vulnerable children and young people.

In 2019, Grace led the establishment of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Violence Reduction Network (VRN) and now oversees prevention work across policing, education, health and community settings. She also leads Leicestershire Police’s Prevention Directorate and holds strategic responsibility for Child-Centred Policing, ensuring young people’s safety and wellbeing remain central to prevention efforts.

Lisa Wilkinson

Community and Young People Involvement Manager, Violence Reduction Network

Lisa ensures that communities and young people are at the heart of prevention work across the VRN partnership. She champions engagement, co-production and relationship-building, working closely with families, schools and communities to empower people to play an active role in preventing harm.

Q&A Panel Speakers

Following the keynote, a panel discussion will bring together professionals working directly with children and young people:

Dr Nisha Karia

Clinical Psychologist, Systemic Practitioner & EMDR Therapist

Dr Karia has over 21 years’ experience working in NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and extensive private practice experience. She brings specialist insight into trauma, emotional wellbeing and the mental health impacts of online harm on young people.

Sarah Sadler

Area Director of Schools, Learn AT

Sarah has more than 25 years’ experience in education, including roles as teacher, SENDCo, Headteacher and School Improvement Partner. Her work focuses on inclusive practice, safeguarding and ensuring children and young people receive the right support to succeed.

Hema Badger-Mistry

CEO, Pedestrian

Hema leads Pedestrian, an arts and education charity supporting vulnerable children and young people across Leicester and Leicestershire since 1998. She is a strong advocate for creativity as a tool for confidence-building, engagement and positive life outcomes.

Ismail Sarwar

Young Person Representative

Ismail is a 22-year-old Business Development Manager from Loughborough and a recent graduate of Nottingham Trent University. He brings lived experience of growing up in a highly connected digital world and navigating education, work and online influence.

Why Attend?

• Gain insight into the online risks facing children and young people today
• Hear practical perspectives from policing, education, mental health and community sectors
• Take part in an informed, grounded conversation with time for audience questions
• Be part of shaping safer, more supportive online environments

We’d love you to join us, and we’d really appreciate it if you could also share this invitation with colleagues, networks or anyone working with or caring for young people.

Register your free spot here.