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

SIPR Funding Call: Responsive Research Fund - From Community Tension Towards Safer Communities

To build and maintain trust and confidence, policing must learn from examples of good practice in engaging with communities that are targeted (or indirectly impacted) by extremism and hatred directed towards minoritised communities in the UK. 

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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

June 26, 2026
Scottish International Policing Conference 2026
Welcome to the information pages for the 12th SIPR Scottish International Policing Conference #SIPC2026 The Scottish International Policing...
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June 22, 2026
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June 12, 2026
Webinar: Statistical issues in police investigations
Webinar: Statistical issues in police investigations We’re pleased to invite you to an upcoming webinar from the Scottish...
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Recent News

May 26, 2026
Police and Deaths in Scotland: Prevention, Investigation, Transparency
SIPR was pleased to support the workshop ‘Police and Deaths in Scotland: Prevention, Investigation, Transparency’ through our Knowledge...
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May 26, 2026
What happens when the language of human rights becomes central to modern...
Thank you to everyone who joined the hybrid seminar with Markus Buderath on human rights based policing in...
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May 26, 2026
International Study Visit Explores Scottish Research and Practice in Criminal Justice and...
SIPR recently welcomed a group of senior researchers from Sweden as part of an international study visit exploring...
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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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