Introduction

Since 2013, the N8 PRP has been pioneering a major collaboration between eight research intensive universities and eleven police forces and Police and Crime Commissioners in the north of England in its quest to co-produce new knowledge that addresses the urgent challenges of policing and ensure the take up and application of evidence-based practices. The annual N8 PRP Conference stands as a tangible platform for the N8 to further these aims. The 2020 iteration of the conference explored the challenges that confront implementing innovative and evidence-based reforms in policing. It focused on policing diverse forms of vulnerability in which the police work closely in partnership with other organisations. In this regard, the conference sought to showcase work from the N8 partnership and reflect on the learning from experiences in the UK and elsewhere on implementing police/academic partnership to foster research and the knowledge base.

Themes

This conference explored the challenges that confront implementing innovative and evidence-based reforms in policing. It focused on policing diverse forms of vulnerability in which the police work closely in partnership with other organisations. In this regard, the conference showcased work from the N8 partnership and reflect on the learning from experiences in the UK and elsewhere on implementing police/academic partnership to foster research and the knowledge base. The second day focused on identifying and exploring the new challenges for research informed and evidence-based policing in the face of shifting vulnerabilities and changing demands. Workshops covered subjects including: Policing Covid-19, data analytics, policing vulnerabilities, policing futures and learning lessons through research co-production.

Speakers included:

• Mike Cunningham, CEO College of Policing
• Gloria Laycock, University College London
• Tom Gash, Institute for Government
• Rick Muir, Director of the Police Foundation
• Liz Aston, Napier University & Director of the Scottish Institute of Policing Research
• Nicole Westmarland, Durham University
• Nick Pole, College of Policing
• Ngaire Waine, Merseyside Police
• Geoff Pearson, University of Manchester
• Adam Crawford, University of Leeds

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