Join to apply for the Professor in Policing role at The Open University.
Base Pay Range
Closing Date: 19 November 2025
Weekly Working Hours: 37
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
Fixed Term Contract End Date: 3 years from start date
About the Role
The Open University’s Department for Policing (DfP) Centre for Policing Research and Learning (CPRL) is looking to appoint a Professor of Policing Research. The post will be full time, initially on a three‑year fixed term contract, working within the Faculty of Business and Law. The DfP showcases a portfolio of accredited and non‑accredited police education programmes. Through collaboration with police force members across the UK’s four nations, CPRL drives innovation through research knowledge that is co‑produced. This approach strengthens links to the curriculum and ensures research translates into real‑world impact, bringing research knowledge into practice and policy.
Key Responsibilities
* Shape the vision of Policing and lead CPRL in line with its core principles and the strategic priorities for policing at OU, proactively engaging key internal and external stakeholders, including police force membership.
* Provide academic leadership to policing academics across the department to deliver synergies between research, teaching, learning, and practice.
* Contribute actively to leadership within FBL with the executive team, the Pro‑Vice Chancellor for Research, the Associate Dean of Research and Innovation, and the Head of Policing department to shape and implement strategic development of policing at OU.
* Lead the research and income strategy and work closely with academics to secure significant research funding to achieve policing priorities, REF‑able outputs and financial sustainability.
* Develop a research agenda that addresses the future needs of policing, understanding evolving issues requiring innovation in policing and the public sector.
* Develop national and international policing networks and strengthen member engagement through visits and meetings with police forces and agencies to advocate for Policing at OU and the work of CPRL at public events.
* Support professional development for all academics within policing to enhance individual academic profiles and maximise the impact of research and teaching.
* Serve on the academic promotions committee within the Faculty.
* Play a full part in the academic life of The Open University’s Walton Hall campus in Milton Keynes.
About You
* Appropriate academic qualifications in policing‑relevant and/or public services related area(s). Minimum academic qualification would be a relevant PhD.
* Experience of collaborating with public service professionals, including police.
* A proven interdisciplinary research record evidenced by a series of publications including articles of 3* or 4* quality by REF 2029 standards or equivalent, in internationally recognised journals.
* Successful record of winning research funding and managing projects.
* A skilled researcher with expertise in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies and an ability to apply innovative methods to policing.
* A record of involvement in the wider aspects of research life, such as contribution to academic conferences, membership of academic networks.
* Experience of and aptitude for academic leadership.
* Proven academic credibility within the policing field with the ability to influence and shape practice.
* Evidence of working with appropriate external national and international networks, and demonstrable ability to develop strong collaborative links with, for example, government, public services, industry, policy makers and funders.
* Evidence of ability to innovate and improve existing practices in organisational settings.
* Experience of working in multidisciplinary and inter‑disciplinary research.
* Teaching experience, particularly with part‑time professionals.
* Experience of successfully supervising PhD students through to completion.
* Previous administrative or leadership experience at Faculty, School or Departmental level.
* Effective communication skills in oral, written and electronic form.
* The ability to work to tight deadlines.
* A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
* An ability to undertake research to address innovation in respect to new technologies, data analytics and Artificial Intelligence.
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