The ESRC Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre was delighted to host 21 PhD students last week at the University of York as part of its international PhD Summer School.
14 July 2025
The students are all researching vulnerability and policing topics and came from countries across the world, including the UK, USA, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Hungary, Brazil and Thailand. The attendees impressed in a competitive application process, which saw them earn a place at the summer school.
During the week-long programme, attendees heard from world-leading vulnerability and policing experts and took part in workshops dedicated to exploring researcher wellbeing, engaging with the media, publishing, and achieving research impact, among others.
The event culminated in a 3-Minute Thesis competition, where attendees presented their PhD topic in a clear, concise, and engaging way using only one static slide.
The Summer School also included a social events calendar, providing the attendees with the opportunity to build lasting connections with peers.
Dr Laura Bainbridge, the Centre’s Early Career Researcher Champion and co-organiser of the Summer School said: “Organising this year’s summer school has been a real joy. Watching doctoral researchers from different parts of the world come together — exchanging ideas, asking big questions, and supporting one another — has been inspiring. It’s a reminder of just how powerful these shared spaces can be for learning, reflection, and building lasting connections.”
Join the Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre’s international PhD Network
The Centre’s PhD Network brings together a community of PhD students across multiple disciplines who focus on the intersection of vulnerability and policing. It aims to encourage collaboration, learning and innovative research.
The Network provides a forum for discussion among PhD students, training opportunities, and organises talks from speakers working in the field of vulnerability and policing.