SIPR Associate Director
To lead network covering public protection and technology, and digital policing
Professor Lesley McMillan will be stepping down from her role as the Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR) Associate Director and lead of the Public Protection network.
SIPR is now inviting applications from prospective candidates to take on this role and shape the future direction of this network. 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 aim of the network traditionally has been to both promote, and provide a focus for, independent research on policing and public protection; to collaborate with Police Scotland and other community stakeholders to produce quality research on all relevant areas of public protection; to ensure that independent academic research on public protection is made accessible to police forces, practitioners and policy makers; and to ensure research results impact on police policy, practice and procedure. In support of these aims, the network draws upon expertise from a range of academic disciplines including sociology; criminology; geography; psychology; social policy; law; social work; economics; and health. The network seeks to engage with Police Scotland specialist services such as the National Rape Task Force, the National Child Abuse Investigation Unit (NCAIU), the Specialist Crime Division for Public Protection; and Safer Communities.
The network has defined public protection broadly and includes research on areas such as: all forms of gender-based violence; child abuse and sexual exploitation; children and young people; gangs and youth violence; hate crime; homicide; missing persons; human trafficking; mental health; vulnerable adults; and the intervention, treatment and management of sexual and violent offenders.
With Professor Lesley McMillan moving on to lead the ‘prevention’ strand of the Scottish Police Academic Centre of Excellence (SPACE), there is an opportunity to shape this network differently to its original scope and, for example, to encompass more of a focus on technology and digital policing (SIPR research theme two). It will be important for the new Associate Director to liaise with Prof McMillan to ensure that synergies between SPACE and SIPR are understood.
Research of relevance to the network may be directly on policing or the police, but may also focus on other areas or institutions, but with direct relevance for policing or the police. In Scotland there are a number of consortia and groups focusing on public protection issues; however, none focus specifically on policing and public protection, and this remit will be met by this SIPR thematic network.
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. We are happy to discuss thoughts on the shape and direction of this network going forward.
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.
