Sian specialised in radicalisation, security, and international relations during her time at Demos.

She ran the UK and Danish phases of a major international comparative research project exploring the relationship between violent and non-violent radical  Islamist violence in the UK, France, Netherlands, Denmark and Canada. The project was supported by the UK and Canadian governments and the ESRC and AHRC.

She also worked on a project with JRF Bradford on immigration and housing, working extensively with communities and local authorities.

Sian also helped develop the use of social network analysis in Demos' research.

Sian was previously at Lifelong Learning UK and has a masters degree in Security Studies from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.