The School of Human and Behavioural Sciences has several existing research projects in collaboration with different members of North Wales Police and other theme-related units (these include the army, prison officers, youth custody and other emergency services). Current research projects run independently and in parallel, having to create their own contacts outside and inside the university (e.g., with Criminology). Despite many of these projects having overlapping interest, contributing members are largely unaware of the advances made by other researchers, even within their own school or research institute. On the 30th of June 2022 we are planning to host a 1st Bangor Meeting of Behavioural Sciences in Policing with the aim of bringing together expertise across research teams, NWP and associated units. This event should ideally run annually with the following expected outcomes:
1- Increase in collaborations across research groups, reflected in new research proposals submitted.
2- Deeper understanding of the issues affecting NWP that can be addressed by university staff. This deeper insight should be manifest in higher grant return.
3- A path of continuity between research outcomes and societal impact by engaging stakeholders from early stages of project planning. Evaluated by increased Impact evidence.
4- It will increase staff awareness about pathways to impact and how to frame research from the beginning to maximize its contribution to society. This can manifest in several forms such as improving contribution to the impact sections in PURE.
5- It may attract staff working in the field who may perceive Bangor as a center of excellence in Policing Research, measured by increased recruitment of staff specialised in policing across forensics, criminology, etc.
6- It can be used to advertise Bangor as a Centre for Research in policing which can result in higher recruitment of students in associated degrees and courses (e.g., Forensics).