Research-based postgraduate study

The Open University offers places for full and part time PhD study. Further details on how to apply for the PhD can be found at How to Apply | Research Degrees | Open University.

To support PhD study at the Open University we can provide advice to prospective students about how to develop a research proposal for the Open University to consider. Employees of CPRL Member Forces also have access to studentship funds. We can pay 50% of the fees for students to study at PhD level at the Open University. For more information look here or contact [email protected] for further advice.

CPRL studentship PhDs in progress

  • Charlotte Gaskell - The effect of using an interpreter on the accuracy of witness accounts gathered from police interviews
  • Davin Parrott - Can hypernetwork theory provide new methods of abstracting useful information from police intelligence?
  • Kimberley Ward - Exploring the role of online dating sites and mobile dating apps in sexual offending
  • Russ Hinton - A framework for the introduction of new technologies into law enforcement applied through an example of exploratory data analysis and data mining
  • Nicole Woodhall - Indecent Images of children in the UK: Has the current threat gone beyond policing’s capability to respond to it
  • James Dickety - Halting the tide - retention within DC pathways

Completed CPRL studentship PhDs

  • Phil Davies - The predictive potential of police operating models: How complex systems theory can support a data-driven simulation of police policy to improve efficiency
  • Reuben Moreton - Developing and evaluating a training and competency framework for forensic facial identification
  • Ashleigh Bennett - Locked out: Gender bias in specialist tactical and firearms policing and its impact on inclusion

CPRL affiliated PhD research

  • Dionysia Lali - Perceptions and expectations of the police when interacting with vulnerable people
  • Catherine Chisholm - How can we coach adults to change profound beliefs? A mindset based approach
  • Lara Kazeem - Information systems and bias within police forces

Completed CPRL affiliated PhD research

  • Angela Sutton-Vane - History of police archiving practices
  • Jane Roberts - Political leadership and the need to belong: An extension of theory and practice of political and place leadership through the lens of attachment theory
  • Heather Barrett - In the context of multi-agency adoption and diffusion of a technology to enhance policing, can systems thinking techniques enhance or even replace, exisiting frameworks and models?

News

Crime and Policing Act receives royal assent

The UK Government’s Crime and Policing Act received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026, marking a significant development in the legislative response to crime and public safety.

The Act introduces a range of measures aimed at tackling retail crime, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, alongside stronger penalties for violence against women and girls. It also includes provisions to address cyber-enabled crime and knife crime.

1st May 2026

Upcoming Events

Jun 3

Membership Group Meeting

Wednesday, June 3, 2026 - 10:30 to 12:30

Online, Microsoft Teams