Loughborough University is home to a Mini-Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT), ‘Policing for the Future: Socio-technical Resilience and Innovation’. The Centre includes five fully funded interdisciplinary PhD studentships in policing which begin in 2015 and focus on the following areas:
Jamie Ferrill (Social Sciences / SBE): The Impact of Leadership Styles on Subordinate Behaviour
This research investigates the effect of leadership style(s) exhibited within police organizations having a significant impact (either negative or positive) on officers’ behaviours. Transformational and transactional leadership are the main focus of the study, however existence or absence of leadership behaviours is assessed. The research considers factors such as ethics in policing, professionalization of the police, characteristics of police and police leaders, and organizational culture. This is a mixed-method study, using ethnography, semi-structured interviews, and lab based experiments. This study contributes to the body of knowledge in leadership styles, the concept of leadership versus management, as well as application of police behaviours.
Sian Lewis (Social Sciences / Design): A Qualitative Study of Experiences and Perceptions of Sexual Harassment on the London Underground Network
Transport exists as a transitional, intermediary aspect of city life, between the vulnerability of the streets and apparent safety of work and home, offering a unique, temporary, spatial situation. Yet the trend in commuter sex crimes demonstrates that public transport remains structured and monitored in a way that does not necessarily ensure safety to all those who use it, and is often experienced, particularly by women, as a space of vulnerability.
This research focuses on commuter experiences of sexual harassment on the London Underground Network. The interrelationship between space, behaviour and gender will be utilised throughout this research in order to gain a deeper understanding of behaviours and interactions the London Underground that may lead to incidences of sexual harassment.
This study will use mixed qualitative methods including observations, focus groups and in-depth interviews. Working with the British Transport Police and various NGO’s, this research will increase the understanding of sexual harassment on academic and vocational level.
Anthony Quinn (Social Sciences / SBE): Mapping Repeat and Near Repeat Victimisation: To what extent do counts of ‘theft of a motor vehicle’ follow the same spatio-temporal patterns of the ‘forager’ theory?
This study is concerned primarily with the spatial movements of offenders responsible for Theft of a Motor Vehicle (TOMV) offences. It uses mixed methods analysis to investigate this particular crime type more closely with a view to discerning whether police resources are being allocated to best effect. The first half of the research involves quantitative crime mapping whilst the second stage draws upon qualitative interviews with former offenders. The project is being undertaken in collaboration with several East Midlands police forces as a form of ‘What Works’ crime reduction.
Beth Mcmurchie (Chemistry / Design): Forensic Science at the Interface of Chemistry and Physical Ergonomics
This study will show whether there is a correlation between fingerprint size and the physical size and stature of individuals. It will also investigate the significance of this relationship and attempt to make the findings applicable for officers at a scene of crime for example. Research will also focus on how well this method of identification works with different fingerprinting methods.
Alasdair Booth (CBE):Counter Terrorism and the Protection of Crowded Places
This study investigates the effectiveness of the current counter terrorism security advice that is in place to protect crowded places. Crowded places include shopping centres, sport stadiums, clubs, outdoor events, etc. It focuses on the threats facing crowded places, the use of counter terrorism measures, and reviews the current security advice that is in place for protecting crowded places. It will also examine current knowledge sharing / exchange mechanisms between counter terrorism security advisors and stakeholders.
Academic staff involved in the mini-CDT include Dr Karen Lumsden and Dr Louise Grove (Social Sciences), Dr Louise Cooke (Information Management), Dr Patrick Waterson and Dr George Torrens (Design), Dr Lee Bosher and Dr Ross Ritchie (Business and Economics), and Dr Paul Kelly (Chemistry).
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