Project team

This programme was headed up by Professor Jean Hartley, Academic Director of the OU’s Centre for Policing Research and Learning (CPRL). The CPRL already had a significant partnership with police forces and agencies across the UK on research, education and knowledge exchange to improve policing.

The Open University project team was made up of academics and practitioners, experienced in undertaking action research to provide implementation support within policing. Dr Denise Martin joined the team from a Scottish University, as the Project Academic Director. Dr Martin was supported by a Research Fellow (Richard Harding); a Research Fellow (Dr Loua Khalil), and project management was undertaken through a Senior Project Manager and staff including Heather Barrett, Anita Aldridge and Helena King.

The MOPAC team was headed up by Robin Merrett, Head of Operational Oversight. A strategic leader with eleven years experience in the most senior positions in the police service. The team included Professor Betsy Stanko, a Visiting Professor at UCL with extensive experience working inside policing and promoting innovation. Betsy’s role in MOPAC included Head of Evidence and Insight.

Lizzie Peters was the Collaboration Lead at MOPAC, an experienced programme manager and consultant, who has worked in public services for over 25 years, predominantly in policing, criminal justice and crime reduction.