Scottish Institute for Policing Research

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SIPR is a strategic collaboration between Scotland’s universities, Police Scotland and The Scottish Police Authority

Our mission is to support internationally excellent, multi-disciplinary policing research to enable evidence-informed policy & practice.

About SIPR

ECR Grants for this academic year now open

The Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR) is inviting applications for small research grants of up

to £3,000 from early career researchers (ECRs) based at SIPR member universities with the aim of initiating new

research projects or supporting existing projects.

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Lights Under a Bushel? Visibility Research for Police Scotland

For generations, the archetypal figure of the “Bobby on the beat” has been central to public understandings of police visibility in the UK.

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The Define Project

Identifying best practices and learning outcomes from Police Scotland’s Define Pilot

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Policing after Lockdown: re-building relationships with the COVID Generation

This report presents the independent findings of a small-scale qualitative research project, funded by the Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR),that explored the perceptions of young people living in marginalised communities regarding the police.
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Good Practice in Transfer of Care - A Rapid Review

Read our latest press release.

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Contemporary Challenges Faced by Police Officers in Scotland - A Focus on Body Worn Video

Read our latest press release.

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Legal Responses to Victims of Criminal Exploitation

Read our latest press release.

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Annual Report 2024/2025

Annual Report and Accounts presented to the SIPR Board of Governance 11 September 2025

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3 Year Strategic Plan (2024/25 – 2027/28)

Find out about the SIPR’s mission, aims and 3-year plan objectives.

Download Strategic Plan 2024 - 27

SPACE - 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.

Explore SPACE

SIPR Knowledge Exchange & Dissemination Fund 2025/26

SIPR is providing £5,000 to support dissemination and impact efforts for policing research. 

We have redeveloped and increased existing funding streams to create a more fit-for-purpose fund that will support a greater range of knowledge exchange and dissemination activities that can include any collaborative, creative endeavour that translates knowledge and research into impact in society and the economy.

Apply for Grant

SIPR Impact Awards 2025

SIPR are keen to formally recognise individuals, or teams, whose research has made a significant contribution to policing, policy, and or/ practice.

Winner Announced

SIPR Annual Report 2024/25

Our Annual Report for 2024/25 includes articles from academics from the consortium universities, as well as Practitioner Fellows, with particular emphasis…

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Upcoming Events

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Recent News

August 17, 2026
SIPR Main Grant awardees announced
Congratulations to our SIPR Main Grant awardees!We are delighted to announce two new SIPR Main Grant awards supporting...
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August 4, 2026
N8 Policing Research Partnership Policing Innovation Forum at Newcastle University on 16...
SIPR Director Dr Andrew Wooff and Head of Operations Monica Craig attended the N8 Policing Research Partnership Policing...
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August 4, 2026
Congratulations to Professor Andrew Wooff!
Congratulations to Professor Andrew Wooff!We are delighted to congratulate SIPR Director Andrew Wooff on his promotion to Professor...
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Our mission is to support internationally excellent, multi-disciplinary policing research to enable evidence-informed policy & practice.

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