The Scottish Policing-
Academic Centre of Excellence
Safety, Prevention, Analytics, Confidence and Ethics (SPACE) is a UKRI funded Centre of Excellence which builds on the Scottish Institute for Policing Research model. It is led by Edinburgh Napier University, the University of St Andrews, Glasgow Caledonian University, and the University of Edinburgh.
Our vision is to support innovation in improving safety and preventing crime and harm by developing world-leading, evidence -based solutions to modern policing challenges.
- Safety
The safety theme draws in expertise on organisational development, focusing on: mitigating risk and trauma in police settings; online harms; organisational culture and stressors; and the utilisation of technology to support the well-being of police professionals.
- Prevention
The Prevention theme focuses on evaluating effectiveness, enhancing implementation and innovation. It will translate expertise in high-impact areas such as violence against women and girls, terrorism and extremism, in order to enhance public safety and reduce harm across specific populations including young people and those with complex needs shaped by adversity.
- Analytics
The analytics theme will enhance prevention and safety by utilising expertise on data analysis & optimisation to: improve operational practice and training: promote ethical use of data and AI in areas of high priority policing; and build public confidence around the development and application of data driven and AI innovation.
SPACE focuses on key policing Areas of Research Interest (ARIs) to improve Safety, build Prevention, and maximise the use of Analytics in a manner that inspires Confidence and meets high Ethical standards
Core Team
Advisory Group
Member | Role | Organisation |
|---|---|---|
DCC Alan Spiers | DCC Professionalism | Police Scotland |
Amanda Coulthard | Head of Strategy and Performance | SPA |
Craig Naylor | HMCI | HMICS |
Carolyn Lovell | Head of Research | OCSA/NPCC |
Nerys Thomas | Interim Director of Performance, Productivity and What Works | College of Policing |
Andy Rhodes | Service Director | Oscar Kilo/College of Policing |
Professor Stan Gilmour | Strategic Consultant, Professor of Practice | Oxon Advisory |
Professor Marion Oswald | Professor of Law | Northumbria University |
Prof John Innes | Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence | Edinburgh Napier University |
Jenni Sarafilovic | Lead Change Partner | University of Edinburgh |
Professor Pamela Ugwudike | Professor of Criminology | Universty of Southampton |
Lucien Staddon Foster | Race Equality Research Officer | Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights |
Marsha Scott | CEO | Scottish Women’s Aid |
Nathan Farrell | CEO | Victim Support Scotland |
Liz Aston | Director | SPACE |
Monica Craig | Centre Manager | SPACE |
Andrew Wooff | Safety Lead | SPACE |
Sarah Marsden | Prevention Co-Lead | SPACE |
Susan McVie | Prevention Co-Lead | SPACE |
Lesley McMillan | Analytics Lead | SPACE |
Our Approach
We plan to work with a range of partners, including those who provided us with letters of support during the preparation of the bid. SPACE will use participatory approaches across themes to support a knowledge mobilisation process that anticipates and responds to current and emerging issues by: mapping current and future research needs through a co-creation process; mobilising knowledge from the SPACE academic networks; responding to emerging issues and translating research into practice.
The SPACE programme of work will be co-produced by academics and partners via in-person sandpits (to identify cross-cutting research priorities), theme meetings (online) and in-person workshops. Our approach to co-creation will be ethical, transparent and involve diverse stakeholders based on thematic focus.
Project Timelines
This is a three year UKRI funded Centre which will commence in September 2025 and complete in August 2028.
Governance
The SPACE Management Committee will comprise the Leadership Team, key representatives at Executive level from Police Scotland and other key policing partners (e.g NPCC, SPA). This will meet (online) biannually to monitor progress on SPACE activities, consider ARI priority areas, and make decisions on allocation of funds for grant calls. A panel will be established to review research applications.
An Advisory Group will meet (online) annually, bringing advise and guidance, critical reflection and peer feedback from international academic experts, senior representatives of policing organisations and other key stakeholders including public advocacy groups and innovations experts.