Scottish Institute for Policing Research

International Summer School for Policing Scholars (ISSPS) – University of Stirling, Scotland
22-26 June 2026

Research

Applications are now OPEN

Monday 22 – Friday 26 June 2026

The Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR) is providing funding to PhD researchers based at SIPR member universities to participate in the International Summer School for Policing Scholars (ISSPS) which is taking place at the University of Stirling between Monday 22 June and Friday 26 June 2026.

Funding will be provided to cover one week’s accommodation at the University of Stirling as well as some subsistence for meal expenses.

Please note – there will be a strict cancellation policy. If for any reason those selected can no longer attend the ISSPS, the applicant’s institution will be required to refund the grant to SIPR.  Please do not apply unless you are sure you can attend. 

 

Background

The ISSPS is led and supported by a collaboration between the Centre for Evidence Based Crime Policy (CEBCP) at George Mason University, the Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR), and involves Australian academic and practitioner partners at Griffith University,  and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Evidence-Based Policing (ANZSEBP), among others.

While the primary audience is PhD researchers, we also welcome applications from individuals who have confirmed doctoral funding or a secured place on a PhD programme, as well as those undertaking professional doctorates with a substantive research focus on policing.

The Summer School

The curriculum will cover a wide range of topics, approaches, methodologies, and perspectives on policing research and emphasises field and practice-oriented research (and translation). This includes: 

  • Research design in policing (quantitative and qualitative approaches) 
  • Researching with, for, and by practitioners 
  • Theories used in policing research 
  • Programme evaluation frameworks 
  • Research translation and knowledge transfer 

If you would like to discuss your suitability to apply, please contact either:

Value

Included in summer school placement

If you are offered a place at the ISSPS, SIPR will provide accommodation in the University of Stirling halls of residence. This provides a provide room with private en suite for each student with shared communal spaces with other students attending the ISSPS. Accommodation includes breakfast at the halls of residence. Lunch will also be provided for the week of the summer school. There may also be some  pre-arranged evening activities over the week, where SIPR may provide evening meals.

Please note some costs will have to be incurred by those selected for the grant, including: 

  • All incidentals 
  • Meals not officially organised by the summer school
  • Any additional accommodation required outside of the dates of the ISSPS 
  • Any and all travel to and from the summer school
  • Any parking 

Assessment

To ensure the excellence of all SIPR funded activities, SIPR will subject all applications to a robust assessment process. Applications will be assessed in accordance with the suitability of their research to the ISSPS programme. The awarding panel will also reflect on how you have engaged with the SIPR community and the way(s) in which the summer school will enhance your doctoral studies and career development.

Application Form

We request that all potential applicants provide a Notification of Intent to apply by Friday 20 February 2026. This should simply be via an email to SIPR (sipr@napier.ac.uk) and may simply be one sentence to say you intend to submit an application.

Applicants are then required to complete the SIPR application form by Friday 6 March 2026 including the following information: 

  • Basic details about the applicant and their doctoral studies 
  • Justification of why the applicant qualifies to participate in the ISSPS including how it will enhance your PhD and career development 
  • Reflection on how you have engaged with the SIPR Community and how you will continue this following the summer school 
  • Short summary of doctoral studies, including any other research you may be involved in.
  • Letter of support from your director of studies/ lead supervisor to support your attendance at the summer school.

Requirements

Participants will also be required to develop some outputs from participating in the ISSPS, which may include writing a blog for the SIPR website, contributing to an output paper on the ISSPS and creating an article for inclusion in the annual report.

SIPR’s Scottish International Policing Conference 2026 will take place on the final day of the summer school (Friday 26 June 2026). We are encouraging all students of the ISSPS to prepare a poster for display at the SIPC.

Applications should be sent to Head of Operations, Monica Craig m.craig2@napier.ac.uk

Indicative Timetable

Task
Date
Applications Open
11 February 2026
Deadline to submit a Notification of Interest
20 February 2026
Deadline to submit application
6 March 2026
Award panel meet
w/b 16 March 2026
Decisions announced
w/b 23 March 2026
Summer School takes place
22-26 June 2026

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