Intro to PDA Policing

The Professional Doctoral Academy (PDA) for Policing (PDA-P) at the University of Huddersfield is a pioneering initiative, marking the UK’s first doctoral research academy dedicated to policing and criminal justice research for active police officers and staff. Building on a successful pilot launched in Summer 2022, the PDA has developed partnerships with major UK police forces, including Merseyside Police, Greater Manchester Police and the Northwest Regional Organised Crime Unit. Designed as a three-year doctoral program, the PDA enables serving officers and staff to conduct practitioner-based research that is both relevant to their roles and academically rigorous, bridging a longstanding gap in police-led research and advancing educational opportunities in the sector.

Central to the PDA’s approach is its accessible funding model, which ensures that participants incur no financial burden for their studies. Instead, the program leverages strategic partnership funds and contributions from individual forces to cover research expenses, academic conference costs, and study visits. This structure is aimed at democratising access to advanced qualifications for police officers and staff, who often face financial and logistical barriers in pursuing education beyond Master’s level.

The PDA’s vision extends beyond national boundaries. With a growing network of international partners in Southeast Asia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the PDA aspires to build a globally recognised centre of excellence in police and criminal justice research—paralleling the prestige associated with institutions such as the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. This vision is underpinned by the ambition to foster innovation and evidence-based practices that benefit both UK and International policing communities.

Candidates within the PDA-P are guided by leading experts in their fields and encouraged to produce research with immediate relevance to their professional roles within policing or criminal justice. Their research topics span a wide array, from organisational change and leadership to AI’s role in criminal justice and studies on crime, exploitation, and criminal behaviour. The outcomes are expected not only to contribute to academic discourse but also to align with the strategic priorities of the participants’ respective organisations, providing practical solutions to complex challenges in law enforcement.

The program is designed to accommodate the demanding schedules of its participants, offering flexibility while maintaining robust support. Candidates meet monthly with their supervisors, are supported in publishing at least one peer-reviewed journal article and are encouraged to present their findings at both national and international conferences. In addition, the PDA funds attendance at writing retreats, research visits both in the UK and abroad, and even supports participants in organising events that align with their research. This unique approach ensures that participants can share their work, build networks, and foster collaborations essential to advancing their research.

As the PDA continues to grow, it is well-positioned to make lasting contributions to the field of policing and criminal justice. The research generated by its participants is already providing valuable insights into critical areas such as women’s roles in organised crime, the applications of artificial intelligence in law enforcement, and strategies for addressing exploitation and vulnerability. With its expanding network of partners, the PDA is set to become a global leader in doctoral-level research in policing and criminal justice, shaping practices and policies that enhance policing on a broad scale.