The Vulnerability and Policing International PhD Summer School provides a fantastic opportunity for the next generation of vulnerability and policing researchers to build lasting connections with peers, learn from internationally renowned academics, and to develop skills and confidence.
Held in York, UK, from 7-11 July 2025, the Summer School programme includes sessions that will be delivered by world-leading vulnerability and policing experts, as well as workshops dedicated to exploring researcher wellbeing, data collection and analysis methods, publishing, and achieving research impact. The Summer School will also include a range of social activities and networking opportunities.
What’s included?
As well as your attendance at a full programme of sessions across four days and hearing from internationally recognised experts, additional benefits are:
- Bed and breakfast accommodation will be provided (in single ensuite rooms) on campus at the University of York from Monday 7 July for four nights.
- Lunch will be provided from Tuesday to Friday.
- Applicants can apply for a travel bursary from the Centre – we aim to make it feasible for you to get here. Please note that we may not be able to provide funding for every successful applicant.
- The cost of social events and some evening meals will also be covered by the Centre.
Applications have closed
Applications for the Vulnerability and Policing International PhD Summer School have now closed and outcomes have been communicated to applicants.
Programme
Arrival Day: There are no daytime sessions on Arrival Day.
Evening activity
Welcome meal
Welcome
Introduction to the Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre – Professor Adam Crawford (Centre Co-Director).
Policing Vulnerability: A Transdisciplinary Research Agenda
Professor Adam Crawford (Centre Co-Director)
Academic activism: risks and rewards
Professor Nicole Westmarland (Centre Co-Investigator, Durham University)
Making connections
Short timed informal one-to-one conversations about your research with Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre Postdoctoral Researchers.
Graffiti Wall Mapping Exercise
Mapping core theories, concepts and methods being deployed by Summer School attendees and Centre Researchers.
Evening activity (optional)
- Evening Meal (informal in York City Centre)
- Free time to explore York
The politics of engaging police in research
Professor Ben Bradford, (Centre Co-Investigator, UCL)
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI): Implementing anti-racism in vulnerability & policing research
Dr Katy Sian (University of York)
Workshop – Three Minute Thesis
Dr Dominika Butler (University of York)
Three Minute Thesis Preparation
Informal unstructured session to begin to prep for three minute thesis competition taking place at the end of the week.
Evening activity (optional)
- Organised activity in York
- Evening Meal
Researcher wellbeing in the context of sensitive research subjects
Dr Laura Bainbridge (Centre Co-Investigator, University of Leeds)
Viewpoints on vulnerability as a focus for policing and public services
Dr Chris Devany and Dr Öznur Yardımcı (Centre Postdoctoral Researchers)
Responsibly harnessing data to support evidence-based policy and practice and improve societal wellbeing
Professor Dan Birks (Centre Deputy Director, University of Leeds)
Workshop: publishing
Tom Sutton (Publisher- Routledge) and Professor Antonios Roumpakis (University of York) Journal Editor
Evening activity (optional)
- Evening Meal (informal in York City Centre)
- Organised activity in York
Workshop: dissemination and media engagement
Danny Shaw (Ex-BBC home affairs correspondent and former adviser to Yvette Cooper) and Nathan Capstick (Centre Communications and Engagement Officer, University of Leeds)
Workshop: impact
Juliet Jopson (Public Policy Engagement Manager, Policy Leeds, University of Leeds)
Three Minute Thesis competition
Professor Kate Brown (Centre Co-Director), Juliet Jopson (University of Leeds) and Nathan Capstick (Centre Communications and Engagement Officer)
Farewell and departure
Professor Kate Brown (Centre Co-Director)
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.
Complete the PhD Network submission form to join the Network.