ESRC CASE studentship on the Policing of Priority Neighbourhoods.

Applications are invited for a high calibre PhD Studentship based jointly at the University of Salford and Greater Manchester Police. The post is funded through the ESRC CASE studentship programme (+3), which includes full payment of fees for three years, plus an additional annual stipend of approximately £17,000 per year (higher than the standard ESRC PhD studentship).

The student’s time will be split between academic work at the university and research with Greater Manchester Police (GMP). At the university, the student will be supervised through the Institute for Social, Cultural and Policy Research (http://www.iscpr.salford.ac.uk/).  Studies in Sociology at the University of Salford have been ranked 13th in the UK by the last Research Assessment Exercise, and the student will be supervised by internationally recognised researchers.

During the time spent with GMP, the student will be attached to the Local Policing Improvement Branch and supervised by the Operations Manager. Through this office, the student will shadow the Neighbourhood Policing Teams of four Priority Neighbourhoods.  This will involve observations, attending meetings and conducting interviews with practitioners and local residents.

Applicants should be highly motivated with at least an upper second-class honours degree or equivalent in an appropriate discipline.  Applicants should also hold a masters degree in social science research (preferably ESRC approved). Other qualifications beyond the honours degree can be considered if supplemented with appropriate research or industrial experience.

Brief details of the post follow, but there is some scope to refine the topic in line with applicant’s research interests:

Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) are a crucial part of policing today and form the focus of this research project.  The particular NPTs to be studied are those that service Priority Neighbourhoods in Greater Manchester.  Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has received dedicated funding from the Police Authority for three years (2008-2011) to direct additional resources into Priority Neighbourhoods.  The idea is to build structures and processes that will last beyond the period of funding and help these neighbourhoods to help themselves in the long term to improve neighbourhood satisfaction and safety.

The objectives for the PhD studentship are:

1.     To assess what the current partnership working practices are in GMP, with a particular focus on Neighbourhood Policing Teams in Priority Neighbourhoods

2.     To evaluate the sustainability of any new structures and processes to come out of the dedicated funding for Priority Neighbourhoods in Greater Manchester (2008-2011)

3.     To assess what impact there has been on police culture and police-community relations in light of partnership working, especially for that of Priority Neighbourhoods where residents are one of the partners

For further information and an informal discussion about this studentship, please contact Dr Megan O’Neill on m.e.oneill@salford.ac.uk <mailto:m.e.oneill@salford.ac.uk>  or on 0161 295 5606.

Application forms and instructions can be obtained from http://www.salford.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/postgraduate-research/applying/.  Please use your research proposal to discuss why you are interested in this studentship and what you hope to gain from it.

Applications and a current CV should be sent to Mary Byrne, Postgraduate Research Administrator, European Studies Research Institute, University of Salford, Salford, M5 4WT.  Please write ‘ESRC CASE studentship’ on your envelope. Applications are due by 1 June 2009.  Interviews for short-listed candidates are likely to be held in the week commencing 22 June 2009.

The University of Salford is committed to an inclusive approach to promoting equality and diversity. We aim to have a more diverse workforce at all levels of the institution and welcome applications from people from minority ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities.