New vulnerability and policing research centre sets out vision in York event
The Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre, a major new research centre funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), has shared its vision for the next five years in an event held at the University of York today.
The Centre is a joint initiative between the University of York and the University of Leeds. It aims to understand how vulnerability develops in different areas and how organisations can work together to tackle related problems.
Working with a wide range of national and regional partners across government, police forces and charities, some of the challenges the Centre will investigate include exploitation by county lines drug networks, online child sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, modern slavery, mental illness and homelessness.
In the event, Professor Charlie Lloyd (University of York), Co-Director of the Centre and Dr Kate Brown (University of York), Deputy Director of the Centre, outlined the Centre's plans and programme of research.
Dr Kate Brown, Deputy Director of the Centre
They spoke about the significance of the centre given public debates about policing, cuts to public services, and an increase in complex interdependent problems such as county lines.
The event included talks from Professor Charlie Jeffery, University of York Vice-Chancellor and President and Professor Bob Doherty, Dean of the School for Business and Society at the University of York. Lisa Winward (North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable) and Becky Elton (Deputy CEO of the national charity Changing Lives) also reflected on the importance of the Centre for their areas of work.
Professor Charlie Lloyd said:
“It has been great to host this event at the University of York and share our plans with colleagues and with local partners.
“The challenges that public services face in their attempts to address vulnerabilities are unprecedented. The cost of living crisis and the possibility of further cuts will place more pressure on already stretched services to the detriment of vulnerable people.
“This is why the work of the Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre is so important. We want to understand how vulnerability develops and how police and other organisations can better work together to reduce harm among vulnerable people.
“We want to create new, integrated approaches that improve how the police and other services respond to these problems. Doing this will benefit vulnerable people as well as the organisations who work with them.”
Professor Bob Doherty said:
“We believe you have to bring private, third and government sectors together in collaboration to tackle complex societal challenges effectively. The ESRC Vulnerability and Policing Futures Research Centre is a torch bearing example of this to deliver public good.”
Professor Bob Doherty, Dean of the School for Business and Society
The £10 million Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre received £8.23 million in funding from the ESRC for an initial five years.