SPACE invests more than £125,000 in research and knowledge exchange to strengthen policing
The UKRI funded Scottish Policing Academic Centre of Excellence (SPACE) has announced an investment of £125,421 to support seven new projects that will strengthen the evidence base for policing and public safety.
Professor Liz Aston, Director of SPACE, said:
“We are delighted to be supporting these research and knowledge exchange projects using the flexible fund from our UKRI Policing Academic Centre of Excellence award. Led by SPACE academics, these prevention and analytics research requirements have been co-designed with Police Scotland and wider partners. We look forward to the insights and impacts that will emerge to address contemporary policing challenges.”
Following the 2025/26 SPACE Grants Awards Panel, funding has been awarded to five Research Grants and two Knowledge Exchange and Impact Grants. The successful projects bring together researchers from Edinburgh Napier University, Glasgow Caledonian University, the University of Edinburgh and the University of St Andrews, reflecting the collaborative strengths of Scotland’s policing research community.
The projects will explore a range of contemporary policing priorities, including violence against older women, counter terrorism, artificial intelligence, road safety, policing data, public confidence and professional development. Several projects will also work alongside third sector and justice partners to help ensure that research informs policy and practice.
Research Grants
Older Women and Sexual Violence: Exploring the Possibility of Enhanced Knowledge, Data Sharing and Collaborative Practice
Award: £23,877
Research team
- Co-Principal Investigators: Professor Lesley McMillan and Julia Zauner, Glasgow Caledonian University
- Co-Investigator: Dr Maureen Taylor, Glasgow Caledonian University
Collaborating organisations
- Senior Lives
- Rape Crisis Scotland
- Police Scotland
Navigating the Prevent Pursue Nexus in Scotland’s Counter Terrorism Framework
Award: £25,227.08
Research team
- Principal Investigator: Dr Sarah Marsden, University of St Andrews
- Co-Investigators: James Lewis and Stephanie Scott-Smith, University of St Andrews
Collaborating organisations
- Police Scotland
Enhancing Confidence in Policing Data through Culturally Responsive Communication: A Pilot Study
Award: £23,722.24
Research team
- Principal Investigator: Professor Max Chipulu, Edinburgh Napier University
- Co-Investigators: Dr Paulina Trevena and Dr Anna Beesley, Independent Researchers (UK)
- Collaborative Investigator: Silence Chihuri, Fair Justice System for Scotland (FJSS)
Collaborating organisation
- Fair Justice System for Scotland (FJSS)
- Police Scotland
Safer Analytics for Enhanced Road Safety using AI (SAFER AI)
Award: £23,938.85
Research team
- Principal Investigator: Dr Firdaus Muhammad Sukki, Edinburgh Napier University
- Co-Investigator: Dr Md Zia Ulah, Edinburgh Napier University
Collaborating organisations
- Police Scotland
AI Enabled Offending: Building Police Capability
Award: £23,976.23
Research team
- Principal Investigator: Dr Bjorn Ross, University of Edinburgh
Collaborating organisations
- PoliceAI
Knowledge Exchange and Imapact Grants
Supporting Developmentally Informed Practice in Prevent and Pursue Case Management: Lessons from Research and Practice
Award: £2,350.16
Principal Investigator
- James Lewis, University of St Andrews
A Training Blueprint for Improving Data Literacy in Policing
Award: £2,329.84
Principal Investigator
- Amy Wilson, University of Edinburgh
Supporting research that delivers impact
The SPACE funding programme supports innovative research and knowledge exchange that addresses the challenges facing policing today while strengthening collaboration between academia, policing, the justice sector and third sector organisations.
By investing in both new research and the translation of evidence into practice, SPACE is helping to generate knowledge that can inform decision-making, improve professional practice and contribute to safer communities.
Congratulations to all of the successful applicants. We look forward to sharing updates on these projects as they progress and highlighting the impact they deliver.
