Exploring the impacts and implications of National Thematic Inspection of Policing Responses to Domestic Violence and Abuse

This fully-funded ESRC studentship is a collaboration of the University of Leeds and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Service (HMICFRS). Led by Professor Adam Crawford, in the Centre for Criminal Justice Studies, School of Law, it will assess the role and impacts of HMICFRS as a key national institutional actor in the governance of policing and in the formation and implementation of policing policies. Given the organisation of policing in England and Wales into 43 local police forces, HMICFRS - as an independent inspectorate - has a pivotal role in driving and monitoring policy change at the local level. Drawing on an interdisciplinary approach, this studentship will significantly advance knowledge within the field of policing governance and the inspection of public services, more broadly. It will explore policy formation, policy implementation and assess consequential impacts that derive from the inspections of the HMICFRS, specifically its national thematic inspection of, and follow-up reports into, police responses to domestic abuse. It will focus on the genesis of policy recommendations arising from this specific thematic report and trace their reception and implementation among police and partners. It will produce findings of policy relevance that will assist the HMICFRS and others in understanding the impact of its work and the wider implications for this, as well as other, regimes of inspection. The successful applicant will benefit from a range of research methods training, professional and skills development opportunities. S/he be a member of the Security, Justice and Conflict interdisciplinary training pathway of the ESRC White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership. S/he will also benefit from the N8 Policing Research Partnership (N8PRP), a cross-institutional platform that enables participating universities and policing partners to develop research and exchange knowledge activities that address key policing issues: www.n8prp.org.uk. Led by Professor Crawford, the N8PRP provides a regional hub for the north of England, generating research and knowledge exchange of national relevance and international significance. Policing partners include 11 police forces and Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) across the north of England. N8PRP will afford the successful applicant a range of opportunities to attend events and summer schools - notably those aligned with its Training & Learning Strand - that will generate substantive research and skills development, as well as for disseminating the findings of the PhD study and generating impact. The student will join the existing cohort of over 10 collaborative PhD researchers affiliated to N8PRP and based across the N8 universities. The studentship also has a significant internship opportunity with the collaborative partner.