Improving Police Action through Knowledge Transfer (IMPAKT) Programme

Information about IMPAKT

SIPR has a commitment to maximise the impact on policy and practice of the outcomes of policing research. The purpose of the IMPAKT Programme is to provide support to researchers in Scottish HEIs to undertake knowledge transfer/exchange and impact generating activities in partnership with the Scottish police service. The knowledge exchange activity must be focused on promoting the application of policing research to address one or more of the priorities outlined in the Scottish Policing Assessment and should help to facilitate the co-production and application of knowledge.

This Programme is not designed to fund new research but is for new knowledge exchange and impact generating activity

Background

During the first phase of SIPR's development (2007-2011) there has been significant investment in new research on policing in Scotland. This has been achieved via a combination of initiatives - support for PhD studentships, Post Doctoral Research Assistants, a Small Research Grant Programme, and success in bidding for external research funding (from research councils, European Union etc). The cumulative product of this investment has been the creation of a much broader, deeper and more robust evidence base for policing policy and practice in Scotland than existed in the past.

Throughout the first phase of development, SIPR has also made significant investment in knowledge exchange using a variety of mechanisms (seminars/workshops, CPD activities, annual conference and lecture, briefing papers etc). There have also been significant local and thematic initiatives such as the Edinburgh Police Practice and Research Group and work on community policing.

In SIPR's Strategic Plan 2010-2015, there is a commitment to aligning SIPR's research and knowledge exchange activities more closely with the strategic priorities of Scottish policing. Rather than the police simply being reactive to ideas brought to them by the research community, the aim is for the police to be more proactive in identifying key areas where there are gaps in their knowledge. In developing this approach, there has been close dialogue between SIPR Executive and ACPOS around aligning SIPR's research and knowledge exchange programme with the ACPOS Scottish Policing Assessment (SPA). Via a process of risk analysis and consultation with key stakeholders, the SPA provides an analysis of the priorities for Scottish Policing over a 4 year period (although it is updated on annual basis). It is the SPA which therefore informs the priorities for the research and KE activity funded directly by SIPR via the investment by ACPOS.

Aims of the Programme

To promote the application of research to, and the co-production of research with, the police service in Scotland;
To increase the opportunities for research to make an impact on policy and practice;
Provide the police with research-informed evidence to develop and review strategic, operational and management practices;

Eligibility

The programme is open to all academic staff based in the 12 HEIs within SIPR.

Only one application is permitted from the same applicant for this call. The PI can be included as a Co-investigator one further application as long as the two applications are not linked.

Guidance on Submitting Proposals

SIPR expect project proposals to be demand driven (i.e. aligned with the priorities identified in the Scottish Policing Assessment) and collaborative (i.e with clearly identified partners in the Scottish police service). Projects which also involve collaboration between Scottish HEIs are particularly welcome.

The type of knowledge transfer/exchange activity supported will be largely determined by the demand side requirements but may include a combination of workshops, seminars, training packages, web-based resources etc.

The amount of funding for any single project will vary depending on the scope of the activities but for guidance a maximum SIPR contribution of £20,000 will be made available to any single project. Proposals which include co-funding from other sources are particularly welcome. Proposals should be costed on a non-FEC basis. Applicant can apply for projects of up to one year duration.

Assistance in identifying relevant personnel within ACPOS with whom to consult in developing a proposal will be provided by Anne Lavery, Principal Analyst. E-mail: anne.lavery@acpos.pnn.police.uk

Format for proposals and application process

Applicants are required to submit:

A case for support of no more than 4 sides and must include the following information:

The introduction should set the aims and objectives of the activity in context. It should briefly sketch out the main work on which the project will draw and its alignment with the priorities set out in the SPA;
Clear explanation of what you propose to do, how you will do it and why it is important;
Clear explanation of how the activity will encourage knowledge exchange/co-productive activity between the research community and the police service;
Clear indication of the expected outputs and impact of the project, detailing the potential contribution of the project to police policy and/or practice and how you propose to capture and measure the impact of the project.

A justification of resources required to undertake the project (of not more than 2 sides of A4)

A CV of not more than 2 sides of A4 for each applicant

A statement of support from the project partner(s) within the Scottish police service.

Monitoring and Evaluation

The Principal Investigator will need to complete a report on the project no later than one month after the end date in a form which can be published on the SIPR website as a Briefing Paper. An Impact Report will also be required no later than 12 months after the project end date.

Assessment

Proposals will be reviewed by independent academic experts and ACPOS representatives prior to being considered by the SIPR Executive Committee.

In assessing proposals, reviewers and the Executive will take into account the following:

Evidence that the proposed project is demand-driven and aligned with the priorities set out in the Scottish Policing Assessment 2011-2015.
Potential for delivering impact and the legacy of the project in terms of influencing future policy and practice;
The quality of the proposed collaboration between HEIs and the police service;
Overall value for money, including a cost-effective and credible work plan and a robust approach to evaluation;

Timetable

Applications should include the Application Cover Sheet, and should be sent as a Word document, to Tim Heilbronn (t.d.heilbronn@dundee.ac.uk) by 16th December. An announcement of awards should be made in early February on completion of the review process and projects should begin no later than the end of April.

Further Information

For further information, please see the Scottish Policing Assessment, or contact Professor Nick Fyfe n.r.fyfe@dundee.ac.uk