Recent figures highlight that officers from 27 UK police forces took more than a million sick days over the last three years because of psychological distress (ITV news, 2016). This report suggests that not only are these sickness days due to the stress and psychological distress caused by the critical incidents that they deal with, such as death, trauma, violence and abuse; but also by the behaviours they engage in to cope; such as alcohol use. What is known is that job stress and negative affect (such as depression) are significantly linked with maladaptive behaviours such as alcohol abuse in police officers (Kohan & O'Connor, 2002). It is also noteworthy that there is a 10-fold increase of suicidal ideation in police officers who have elevated levels of stress and alcohol use (Violanti, 2004).
Conversely, there is a protective nature of physical activity behaviour on psychological wellbeing, with more active individuals showing lower levels of stress and depression and a greater satisfaction with life (Penedo & Dahn, 2005). It has long been discussed that poor mental health (depression, anxiety, stress) is significantly linked to illness and disease, particularly in front line staff (Hegg-Deloye et al., 2014). In contrast, evidence confirms that those who hold a positive outlook on life will have a significantly longer life expectancy than those who focus on the negative (Danner et al., 2001) and are less likely to be immunosuppressed (Cohen et al., 2003), making them less susceptible to viral infections such as colds and flu.
Using a mixed methods approach (qualitative, quantitative and experimental design), this programme of research aims to identify health-related risk factors and those of a protective nature in the local police force. Using an online data collection tool, it will identify the level of subjective wellbeing (affect, stress, satisfaction with life), self-efficacy beliefs, and their link with health preventive behaviours, namely physical activity, diet, alcohol use, smoking behaviour and sleep patterns and physical health risk factors (such as obesity) across the Bedfordshire Police force. As a feasibility assessment for a future intervention, it will further test two brief Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs), with the intention to enhance subjective wellbeing, and thus reduce levels of stress and negative health behaviours. Qualitative interviews will be used to support these findings.
This studentship will cover fees for a full year-long MSc by Research alongside costs towards the dissemination of the findings (i.e. conference attendance, publication fees).
Applicants should be available for a 19th March 2018 start date.
Interviews will be held week commencing 19th February 2018 and/or week commencing 26th February 2018.
The successful candidate and the experienced supervisory team of Dr Angel Chater ([email protected]), Dr Julia Fruer ([email protected]) and Dr Daniel Bailey ([email protected]) will be responsible for developing the final project outline.
*Subject to satisfactory progress on PP1 and PP2.
It has been suggested that irregular physical exertion, unhealthy diet and shift work alongside occupational situations of high demand and low control can lead to increased risk of cardiovascular disease in emergency responders (Kales et al., 2009). This includes police officers, firefighters and emergency medical services. Three quarters of emergency responders demonstrated blood pressure values of prehypertension or hypertension (Kales et al., 2009). A contributing factor to the elevated blood pressure was related to the fact that 75% of the population reviewed were overweight or obese as categorised by body mass index (BMI). This suggests that emergency responders (Kales et al., 2009) have increased risk factors for metabolic syndrome. These risk factors of metabolic syndrome; obesity, dislipidemia, hyperglycemia and hypertension, have been linked to sub-clinical electrocardiographic (ECG) measures of cardiovascular disease (Elffers et al., 2017). It can therefore be considered that front line police officers may demonstrate increased risk factors for metabolic syndrome, and an early indication of cardiovascular disease. Further to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, BMI has been found to have a negative correlation with functional movement patterns in firefighters (Cornell et al., 2017). Therefore, this suggests that overweight or obese emergency responders may be at an increased risk of musculoskeletal injury.
The aim is to identify the physical health of the Bedfordshire Police Force, highlighting factors that may lead to an increased risk of hypertension, metabolic syndrome and musculoskeletal injury. This study will be cross sectional in design, with one observation point for all physiological variables. The police force will be grouped into front line staff and office workers, all physiological measures including body mass and composition, blood pressure, cholesterol, height, lung function resting glucose and heart rate will be compared for differences between the two groups. In addition, exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise and VO2MAX will also be calculated, respectively. All the outlined measures will be used to predict future skeletal muscle injuries and illnesses including, hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, metabolic syndrome.
This studentship will cover fees for a full year-long MSc by Research alongside costs towards the dissemination of the findings (i.e. conference attendance, publication fees).
Applicants should be available for a 19th March 2018 start date.
Interviews will be held week commencing 19th February 2018 and/or week commencing 26th February 2018.
The successful candidate and the experienced supervisory team of Dr Jeff Aldous ([email protected]), Dr Jo Richards ([email protected]) and Dr Andrew Mitchell ([email protected]) will be responsible for developing the final project outline.
*Subject to satisfactory progress on PP1 and PP2.
The MSc in Policing is aimed at police and law enforcement professionals wishing to become future leaders and managers. The focus is on providing an evidence-based approach to address modern challenges of policing diverse communities and dealing with transnational organised crime, terrorism, cybercrime and evolving security threats, while upholding principles of procedural justice to increase police legitimacy and public confidence.
The programme will outline the philosophical and theoretical bases for evidence-based policing practice. Issues will be examined with respect to ethical, policy and political contexts. It is a multidisciplinary programme drawing on psychology, statistics, mathematics, engineering, architecture, forensic sciences, design, geography and computing and is designed to enable graduates to be effective leaders and managers of a modern diverse police service.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of five core modules (75 credits), three optional modules (45 credits) and a dissertation/report (60 credits).
Core modules
Optional modules
Students choose three of the following:
Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000 words.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops. Distance learning students will have access to enhanced Internet-based tools and resources and virtual links between staff and students. Assessment is through unseen examinations, coursework, presentations, reports and project assignments.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Policing MSc
UCL Security & Crime Science is offering up to 14 bursary scholarships of between £2,500 and £10,000 to outstanding applicants who have been offered places on one of our MSc programmes. Further information is available on the departmental website.
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
The programme will enable students to gain the skills to conduct rigorous analysis, use evidence-based approaches and develop a scientific approach as well as the ability to make sound policy decisions, and to become leaders in modern police forces. Graduates who are serving police officers will gain analytical and other critical skills to progress in their current career. It is likely to lead to further future careers opportunities in:
Employability
The programme is offered mainly to serving police and security personnel with the aim of equipping them to become future leaders and managers. The focus on an evidence-based approach will enable practitioners to become professionals by adopting a scientific approach to effectively tackle crime, security, and law and order problems. The programme aims to enhance strategic thinking skills as well as management and effective leadership skills.
The UCL Jill Dando Institute, of which UCL Security & Crime Science is the core component, is the first research institution in the world devoted specifically to reducing crime through teaching, research, public policy analysis and by the dissemination of evidence-based information on crime reduction.
This programme’s practical and pragmatic approach to shaping successful and forward-thinking practitioners will have great appeal and offers excellent value to police organisations and governments wishing to invest in future leaders.
Seminars and a diverse international student cohort will provide excellent networking opportunities.
Are you fascinated by criminology? Hoping to increase your suitability for higher level positions within the criminal justice sector? Southampton Solent University’s postgraduate criminology and criminal justice programme will help you to develop an advanced understanding of the contemporary issues and debates surrounding criminal justice institutions, crime and criminal punishment.
Students on Southampton Solent University’s postgraduate criminology and criminal justice programme study the core curriculum alongside a choice of two specialist units. This chance to specialise is important, helping students to orient their knowledge towards specific roles in the criminal justice sector.
This programme also encourages students to develop a range of transferable interpersonal and verbal communication skills through presentations, role-plays, debates, interviews and group work. These competencies are valued in a wide range of industries.
Enrichment activities and learning opportunities are available alongside the core curriculum, giving students the chance to learn from guest speakers, visit criminal justice organisations and network at industry events. These additional activities help to provide detailed insights into the criminal justice system and the careers it offers. Past speakers have come from the police, courts, prisons, probation services, youth justice services and cyber security firms.
The course team themselves have had extensive experience of the criminal justice system and its related disciplines, providing students with unique personal insights. The ties they have with the professional world have helped past students secure volunteer placements, temporary paid work, work shadowing weeks and internships.
With this internationally respected qualification, you’ll be well placed to pursue a variety of career opportunities. Past graduates have pursued careers in police management, international law enforcement, the National Offender Management Service, financial security and academia.
This master’s degree has been designed for criminology graduates or those who have an equivalent professional qualification.
The course is ideal for those who wish to pursue a career in criminal justice or who are currently working within this area.
We provide a stimulating learning environment and access to state-of-the-art resources to help you make the most of your time with us. Flexible spaces, Wi-Fi facilities and learning zones all contribute to our lively and contemporary study environment at Solent.
Suitable roles for graduates include:
The MSc provides a solid foundation for subsequent research at MPhil and PhD level.
We welcome regular guest lecturers who provide a detailed insight into working in the criminal justice sector and prospective career opportunities.
Recent speakers have included:
Past students have completed a wide range of interesting and informative placements with:
The Forensic Science programme will provide you with advanced knowledge of the forensic processes (particularly chemistry and biology) and analytical techniques used in crime investigation. It is the longest-running accredited programme of its type in England.
Accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, our Forensic Sciences study programme is the longest-running programme of its type in England, having been first established in 1985.
You will benefit from an advanced and flexible study programme devised and delivered by internationally leading researchers, and recognised forensic providers including our accredited DNA analysis and Drug Control Centre testing laboratories. We also collaborate closely with the Metropolitan Police Forensic Services Directorate in both teaching and research.
The course is made up of two 15 credit modules and three 30 credit modules followed by a 60 or 120 credit research module. If you are studying full-time, you will complete the course in one year, from September to September. If you are studying for the MRes qualification, you will study an extended research module that carries a further 120 credits to complete the course.
Teaching
For flexibility, a significant proportion of the course will be delivered by narrated PowerPoint. Teaching time includes workshops, group discussions and problem-based learning exercises. Approximate total contact hours for the taught modules is 360-hours.
You are also expected to undertake 840 hours of team and individual study.
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
Current evaluation methods include examinations, MCQs, witness statements, courtroom appearance, crime scene management and assignments.
Formative assessments are carried out as teamwork with both peer and academic feedback. This is designed to help students with the subsequent summative assessments.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
You will also need to have either started or completed a course of Hepatitis B vaccinations.
Most of our students go on to work in the forensic science sector with forensic service providers within the UK, European and International field being the major employers. Others have taken employment with the Metropolitan Police or crime scene departments of other police forces. Many of our Canadian graduates now work for the RCMP or the Toronto Centre for Forensic Sciences. Some of our students go on to do a PhD either at King's College London or other universities across the country.
The MSc in Forensic Science is the UK’s longest established forensic science degree course, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2016/2017.
You’ll join a global network of Strathclyde forensic science graduates in highly respected positions all over the world.
In addition to preparing you for life as a forensic scientist, you’ll also graduate with a wide range of practical skills, problem solving and investigative thinking relevant to a wide range of careers.
Following a general introduction to forensic science in semester 1, you can choose to specialise in either forensic biology or forensic chemistry. As a forensic biologist you’ll study a range of topics including:
If you choose to specialise in forensic chemistry, you’ll develop expertise in:
The focal point of the course is our major crime scene exercise, in which you are expected to investigate your own mock outdoor crime scene, collect and analyse the evidence, and present this in Glasgow Sheriff Court in conjunction with students training in Strathclyde Law School.
In semester 3, MSc students undertake a three-month project, culminating in the production of a dissertation.
Students may be given the opportunity to complete their project in an operational forensic science provider either in the UK or overseas (subject to visa requirements). Alternatively, students may complete their project within the Centre for Forensic Science itself, under the supervision of our team of academics.
Examples of institutions that previous Strathclyde students have been placed in to undertake their project include:
The MSc in Forensic Science runs for 12 months, commencing in September.
Teaching takes place in the Centre for Forensic Science. It’s a modern purpose-built laboratory for practical forensic training, equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation for analysis of a wide range of evidence types. This includes a microscopy suite, DNA profiling laboratory, analytical chemistry laboratory, blood pattern analysis room, and a suite for setting up mock crime scenes.
The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences is a professional body with members in over 60 countries and is one of the oldest and largest forensic science associations in the world.
Our MSc in Forensic Science is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, demonstrating our commitment to meeting their high educational standards for forensic science tuition.
Assessment consists of written coursework, practical work assessments, oral presentations and formal written examinations. Practical work is continually assessed and counts towards the award of the degree. The project is assessed through the completion of a dissertation.
The award of MSc is based upon 180 credits.
Most forensic scientists in Scotland are employed by the Scottish Police Authority.
In the rest of the UK, forensic scientists are employed by individual police forces, private forensic science providers such as LGC Forensics and Cellmark Forensic Services, or government bodies such as the Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) and the Defence Science Technology Laboratory (DSTL).
Outside of the UK, forensic scientists may be employed by police forces, government bodies or private companies.
Forensic scientists can specialise in specific areas such as crime scene examination, DNA analysis, drug analysis, and fire investigation.
Most of the work is laboratory-based but experienced forensic scientists may have to attend crime scenes and give evidence in court.
Where are they now?
Many of our graduates are in work or further study.**
Job titles include:
Employers include:
*information is intended only as a guide.
**Based on the results of the National Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey (2010/11 and 2011/12).
Want to make a real difference to society? With the Master of Security and Crime Science, you will develop the skills required to become a leader in the security, intelligence and crime-prevention areas in the public and private sectors.
You will combine skills from different disciplines such as Statistics, Computer Science, Geographic Information Systems, Population Studies, Psychology and Management. You'll develop analytical and creative methods to tackle real-world crime, and improve security in an ever-changing society.
This degree will provide a pathway to a career in policy development, crime or accident detection and analysis in both the public and private sectors. The skills you gain from the degree will enable you to promote and enhance security and community safety.
The Master of Security and Crime Science is the first of its kind in New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region, lead by the New Zealand Institute for Security and Crime Science (NZISCS). The Institute is the primary research partner for the New Zealand Police, and a partner at the Evidence Based Policing Centre in Wellington. Papers and research topics will be delivered by world-leading researchers in psychology, statistics, artificial intelligence including machine learning, cyber security, political science, economics, management, law, education, Māori and indigenous development, and demographic research.
In collaboration with the New Zealand Police, students and researchers investigated drug abuse intervention, developed software to help police monitor offenders on bail, invented new methods to research burglary offences, researched sex abuse attitudes amongst school age children, and optimised traffic patrolling. The Masters degree requires students to investigate and tackle real security and crime problems in collaboration with public and private partners.
This MSc, designed by a panel of academic departments, industrial partners and law enforcement and security agencies, introduces students to the fundamental knowledge, core expertise and advanced, evidence-driven methodological tools and approaches required to understand, analyse, prevent, disrupt and detect organised crime and terrorism.
Students develop an understanding of how science, engineering and a variety of professional disciplines can contribute to tackling organised crime and terrorism. By the end of the programme, they will be able to apply appropriate scientific principles and methods to security problems, think strategically to develop and implement countermeasures, and appreciate the complexity involved in the design and implementation of organised crime and terrorism threat-reduction technologies.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
Students are required to complete five core modules (75 credits), three optional modules (45 credits), and a dissertation (60 credits).
A Postgraduate Diploma comprising five core modules (75 credits) and three optional modules (45 credits), and which may lead to the MSc, is offered.
Core modules
Optional modules
Students choose three of the following:
NB: places for optional modules are awarded on a first-come first-served basis.
Dissertation/report
All MSc students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000 words.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, projects and laboratory classes. Student performance is assessed through laboratory and project reports, unseen written examination, coursework, presentations, and the research project and dissertation.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Countering Organised Crime and Terrorism MSc
This unique linking of organised crime and terrorism, and the study of methodologies that can practically tackle both of these areas, means that this MSc holds appeal for employers across a broad range of industries.
Recent career destinations for this degree
Employability
This programme equips students with the knowledge to develop operational strategies to counter organised crime and terrorism. This unique linking of organised crime and terrorism, and the study of methodologies that can practically tackle both of these areas, means that this MSc holds appeal for employers across a broad range of industries.
Each year we ask our graduates to tell us about their experience of the programme and their career after leaving UCL and we include some real-life graduate profiles on our website.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
The UCL Jill Dando Institute, of which UCL Security & Crime Science is the core component, is the first research institution in the world devoted specifically to reducing crime through teaching, research, public policy analysis and by the dissemination of evidence-based information on crime reduction.
This MSc programme is delivered by experienced practitioners and researchers working in counter-terrorism, intelligence, law enforcement, risk assessment and security technology. It boasts a unique multidisciplinary platform, being the only postgraduate programme of its kind in the world taught in a faculty of engineering sciences, integrating the cutting-edge of the social and engineering sciences in the security domain.
Our graduate students come from varied backgrounds; many are practitioners and are encouraged to contribute their experience in and out of the classroom.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
School of Social Sciences- a nationally and internationally recognised centre for the study of engaged social science
