First-ever doctoral academy for serving police officers takes lecture spotlight
The UK’s first-ever doctoral academy tailored specifically for serving police officers is the subject of a public lecture from the University of Huddersfield.
The lecture is the next in the monthly Research in Conversation series of events, which are an opportunity for the University to share its research with the wider community and for people to hear directly from its experts.
In April, the University is shining the spotlight on the institution’s Professional Doctoral Academy (PDA), which is the first of its kind in the UK specifically for serving police officers.
Those attending will hear how the PDA is breaking boundaries and building bridges between academia and law enforcement, tackling complex security issues as well as shaping smarter strategies on the ground.
Dr Dara Mojtahedi, Associate Director of the Academy, will be taking to the stage to talk about how the PDA is reshaping industry-academic collaboration through real-world, high-impact research, creating a powerful new model for collaboration between police forces and universities, both in the UK and globally.
Attendees will also hear from Detective Superintendent Claire McGuire of the Police force’s Northwest Regional Organised Crime Unit, who will share her own experience as a PhD candidate at the Academy.
Drawing from both her academic work and extensive frontline experience, she will highlight how her research bridges operational practice with evidence-based strategy, offering new insights into how law enforcement can more effectively safeguard vulnerable young people.
Professor of Psychology and Director of the Professional Doctoral Academy, John Synnott commented: “The Academy, which was piloted in 2022 with funding from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) and Merseyside Police, now proudly supports over 20 senior police officers. By the end of 2025, we will be partnering with over 10 national and international law enforcement and criminal justice organisations, with more than 35 candidates undertaking PhDs with us across a wide range of disciplines.”
The event, Research in Conversation: The role of Huddersfield Professional Doctoral Academy, takes place on Tuesday, 29 April, from 5.30 pm at the University’s Bronte Lecture Theatre.
It is free to attend and open to members of the public, students and staff, but places must be reserved in advance by registering here.
The lecture series is part of the University’s celebrations to mark 200 years of technical and professional education in Huddersfield with a series of events and activities throughout 2025.
Find out more about the 200-year anniversary here
The anniversary marks the establishment of Huddersfield’s Scientific and Mechanic Institute in 1825.
The University of Huddersfield and other partners are organising a range of events and activities to celebrate the learning environment across Huddersfield and the wider Kirklees district.
The institute itself hosted public lectures and evening classes for adults and helped lay the groundwork for the establishment of other adult education opportunities in the town, including the Young Men’s Mental Improvement Society in 1841, from which the University can directly trace its history.
In addition, the University is also holding another event on the same day, a workshop from the institution’s Cyberpsychology Research Network (CRN) to discuss the latest advances in Cyber Enabled Violence Against Women and Girls.
The CRN, which is led by Directors Professor Maria Ioannou and Dr Calli Tzani, will present new research findings alongside a host of national experts on the latest advances in Cyber Enabled Violence Against Women and Girls.
This event also takes place at the Bronte Lecture Theatre on campus and is free to attend. Please register for a place here.
Keep an eye out for upcoming events at the University of Huddersfield by visiting the events calendar here.