Developing evidence-based solutions to modern policing challanges.
SPACE brings together researchers, practitioners and partners to produce high-quality research and knowledge exchange that informs policy, practice and public safety in Scotland and beyond.
Underpinned by Confidence and Ethics
Ensuring our work builds public and policing confidence and upholds ethical standards and the public interest.
Our Programme Themes
SPACE delivers research and knowledge exchange across three core themes, with Confidence and Ethics embedded across all areas of work.
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.
- Confidence
Building public and policing confidence through transparency, accountability and trusted evidence.
- Ethics
Ensuring our work upholds ethical standards, human rights and the public interest.
Past Events
Funding
Impact
£125,421
Invested in 2025/26 to support 5 Research Grants and 2 Knowledge Exchange & Dissemination Grants
SPACE funding enables high-quality research and knowledge exchange that shapes policy. informs practice and makes a positive impact for policing and communities.
Latest Outputs
BRIEFING PAPER
AUGUST 2026
Burnout, Post-Traumatic Growth, and Organisational Support in Police Officers Working in Specialised Units
Read more
REPORT
JULY 2026
Working with Emotionally Demanding Material: Guidance and Resources for Researchers
Read more
Our Partners
SPACE is delivered by Edinburgh Napier University in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of St Andrews.
Project Timelines
This is a three year UKRI funded Centre which will commence in September 2025 and complete in August 2028.
Our Team
SPACE is led by an experienced team driving excellence in policing research and knowledge exchange.
Professor Liz Aston
Director
Monica Craig
Centre Manager
Professor Andrew Wooff
SIPR Director
Dr Sarah Marsden
Project Co-Lead
Professor Lesley McMillan
Project Co-Lead
Professor Susan McVie
Project Co-Lead
Advancing Knowledge. Strengthening Policing. Enhancing Communities.
SPACE funding enables high-quality research and knowledge exchange that shapes policy. informs practice and makes a positive impact for policing and communities.
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.
Advisory Group
Member | Role | Organisation |
|---|---|---|
DCC Alan Spiers | DCC Professionalism | Police Scotland |
Amanda Coulthard (temporary representative) | 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 |
Charlotte Barlow | Associate Professor in Criminology and Criminal Justice | University of Leeds |
Liz Aston | Director | SPACE |
Monica Craig | Centre Manager | SPACE |
Andrew Wooff | Safety Lead | SPACE |
Sarah Marsden | Prevention Co-Lead | SPACE |
Lesley McMillan | Prevention Co-Lead | SPACE |
Susan McVie | Analytics Lead | SPACE |
Contact
General Enquiries:
Centre Manager:
Monica Craig
space@napier.ac.uk
Acknowledgement Guidance
For detailed information on the acknowledgement process and associated expectations, please refer to the Acknowledgement Guidance page.
© SIPR 2026