SIPR Associate Director – Police-Community Relations Network
Professor Megan O’Neill will be stepping down from her role as the Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR) Associate Director and lead of the Police-Community Relations network.
SIPR is now inviting applications from prospective candidates to take on this role.
SIPR is a strategic collaboration between Scotland’s Universities, along with Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority (SPA). The institute aims to support internationally excellent, multi-disciplinary policing research to enable evidence informed policy and practice.
The Police-Community Relations Network of SIPR has at its core a focus on linking independent research and researchers with practitioners involved in building relationships with the communities they serve. This relationship is a major factor in determining the effectiveness of policing. For example, a positive relationship might be expressed in communities’ willingness to cooperate with the police in solving crime or improved feelings of community safety and wellbeing.
Areas of focus for the Network include but are not limited to: community policing and its various iterations and manifestations; local policing, visibility and accessibility; police partnerships with agencies in the public, private and voluntary sectors; use of surveillance technologies; digital policing and cybercrimes; technology in frontline policing; anti-social behaviour; public confidence and legitimacy; policing and seldom heard/minoritised communities. The Police Community Relations Network works towards the prevention of crime and anti-social behaviour through collaboration with the police and other agencies to improve community safety and wellbeing. This can include, for example, addressing complex challenges such as the growing calls for response to mental health concerns.
In addressing these issues, the network draws upon research expertise across a range of academic disciplines, to provide a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of complex areas such as translating research findings into local policing practice, working in partnership with other organisations and increasing public confidence in policing. Through close collaboration with police and other stakeholders the network ensures that research results impact on police policy, procedure and practice.
About the role
Associate Director posts are for an initial period of three years, although they may be extended for a further two years at the discretion of the Board of Governance.
The successful candidate will be expected to work closely with researchers in the consortium universities and with officers and staff based in Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), and SPA Forensic Services. This will be achieved primarily though their Network and its Steering group. Network steering groups are expected to comprise of a minimum of three researchers from different SIPR member universities, together with at least one senior representative each from Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.
Associate Directors have responsibility for developing and co-ordinating the research activities undertaken by their network and will be required to establish/ maintain a network of academics, practitioners/ other key representatives from within the Education and Leadership field. This will be achieved through regular meetings (at least twice per year) with the Network Steering Group, as well as through other various activities as appropriate/ required.
Associate Directors are also expected to support the SIPR Director through contributing to the development of strategic plans and playing a key role in SIPR leadership at various levels, including at quarterly SIPR Executive Committee and annual Board of Governance meetings.
They are also expected to represent the Director at various internal and external events/ committees and in facilitating pathways to impact, for example by leading or supporting SIPR responses to government consultations.
All SIPR Associate Directors are expected to contribute at a strategic level by supporting the development and delivery of SIPR’s strategic aims and objectives, representing SIRP’s interests at internal and external committees. In particular, the Associate Director leading this network will focus on developing a culture of learning and innovation in policing and academia, contributing to the professional development of practitioners and a supportive environment for researchers.
Associate Directors will be required to appoint, and work closely with, a Depute Lead for their network.
Although the contribution from Associate Directors is expected to be flexible, they must have the support of their institution to release them from other duties to fulfil this SIPR AD role, ideally for 0.2 FTE, but at a minimum of 0.1 FTE. The current arrangement is that a nominal honorarium fee (£3,000 per annum) is paid to the institution where the Associate Director is based.
Who we are looking for
Associate Directors must be experienced members of academic staff, suitably qualified to take on the role, with relevant research expertise, management and leadership experience, and an ability to demonstrate a strategic vision of how to sustain an internationally excellent programme of research in the fields covered by the network.
Applicants for this position must hold a permanent position at one of the fifteen SIPR Consortium Universities and will be expected to have a strong interest in, and understanding of, contemporary issues in policing organisations, education and leadership.
How to apply
Those interested in this position are strongly encouraged to contact SIPR Director, Dr Andrew Wooff (a.wooff@napier.ac.uk) in the first instance for an informal discussion.
To apply for the position, please submit your full academic CV including a cover letter, and a letter of support from your host institution to Dr Wooff (a.wooff@napier.ac.uk) and SIPR Knowledge Exchange and Business Manager Monica Craig (m.craig2@napier.ac.uk) by Wednesday 24 September 2025.
We anticipate that interviews will take place during the week beginning 6 October 2025 with a handover period between end of October until end of December. The new Associate Director appointment will commence in earnest in January 2026.
