PhD Studentship: Understanding Threat, Risk, and Harm in the Policing of Suspects of Sex Offences

Lead Supervisor name: Dr Kari Davies

Project description

Within policing there is a drive to understand who the ‘riskiest’ or ‘most harmful’ suspects are, to prioritise limited policing resources and to ensure police are maximising their opportunities to safeguard victims and the wider public. While there is a strong appetite in policing currently to use concepts like, threat, risk, and harm to drive forward operational actions, these concepts are often poorly understood and articulated, used inconsistently, and used to describe different psychological concepts in different circumstances without recognition of these differences. Further, their application in tools, assessments, and judgements often do not often have a strong evidence base which underpin them. The purpose of the PhD, therefore, is to explore the psychology of concepts threat, risk, and harm, and to understand how they are used within policing.

What does the funded studentship include?

A fully-funded Studentship includes a maintenance grant of £18,622 per year to contribute towards living expenses during the course of your research, as well as a fee waiver for 36 months. Associated costs, such as for fieldwork and conference attendance, will also be met under the Studentship.

Eligibility criteria

The BU PhD and MRes Studentships are open to UK, EU and International students. Candidates for a PhD Studentship should demonstrate outstanding qualities and be motivated to complete a PhD in 4 years and must demonstrate:

• Outstanding academic potential as measured normally by either a 1st class honours degree (or equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA) or a Master’s degree with distinction or equivalent
• An IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum (with a minimum 6.0 in each component, or equivalent) for candidates for whom English is not their first language and this must be evidenced at point of application.

Additional Eligibility:

In addition to satisfying minimum entry criteria, BU will look closely at the qualities, skills and background of each candidate and what they can bring to their chosen research project in order to ensure successful completion.

Applicants will be asked to submit an online application form and a proposal (approximately 1500 words) outlining their understanding of the project for which they are applying, the approach they would envisage taking and what qualities they will bring to the research community.

Closing date: The closing date for applications is 31 May 2024

For further information on how to apply click the ‘Apply’ button below or email pgradmissions@bournemouth.ac.uk

Apply now, by clicking the 'Apply' button, above.

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