ESRC Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre

Description

The ESRC-funded Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre aims to understand how vulnerabilities are produced, exacerbated and addressed by policing. Hosted by the University of York and the University of Leeds, the Centre explores how the police and other services can work together to prevent and reduce harm among vulnerable people in society.

The Centre brings together internationally renowned researchers, experts by lived experience, and 38 local, national and international partners across police forces, government departments, local authorities, NGOs and policing partner organisations.

The Centre’s substantial programme of work combines data science with qualitative insights, enabling the Centre to produce robust evidence that will be at the heart of debates about policing vulnerability.

Our research programme

Place-based analyses of vulnerabilities

Place is central in understanding the relationships between vulnerability and policing services. This research examines how vulnerability develops in urban areas, initially across the cities of Bradford and Leeds. It draws together public sector datasets (police, health, social services and education) and qualitative research to understand how different agencies interact. From this, the Centre can understand how organisations respond to vulnerabilities and identify possible ways they can reduce levels of harm.

Vulnerability-related policing problems

This strand of research focuses on how the police and partners can best work together to respond to specific vulnerabilities. The Centre research teams are investigating exploitation by county lines drug networks, online child sexual victimisation, domestic abuse, modern slavery, and the policing of mental illness and homelessness.

Research into action through public and policy engagement

This research explores public priorities and understanding of policing, as well as the appetite for change. It combines research into public opinion with the Centre’s programme to embed research evidence into policy, practice and public debate. Through doing this, the Centre aims to transform how organisations work together to prevent harm and future vulnerabilities.

Offers funding

Yes, this infrastructure provides funding in the following categories:

Founding year

2022

Contact details

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Categorisation

Type

Project Tags

University affiliation(s)

University of York
NA
York
YO10 5DD

Partner Universities

University of Leeds