Police, defence and government leaders welcomed for PDA research induction
The University of Huddersfield has welcomed a new global cohort of senior police officers, defence professionals and government representatives to campus as part of its Professional Doctoral Academy (PDA) induction day, the largest and most diverse to date.
The PDA brings together experienced professionals undertaking doctoral, MSc and MRes research designed to translate practice into evidence-based innovation across policing, defence and public service. This latest intake includes Chief Officers, senior operational Police Officers and policy staff from across UK policing, representatives from the United Arab Emirates and Spain, regional government partners from West Yorkshire, and specialist professionals with experience in the UK Armed Forces.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation Professor Monty Adkins opened the event by welcoming the new participants and highlighting the University’s commitment to research that directly informs practice and policy.
“The Professional Doctoral Academy is a powerful example of how Huddersfield connects research excellence with real-world impact,” said Professor Adkins. “By supporting senior practitioners to turn lived experience into research insight, the Academy is helping to shape leadership, strategy and innovation across policing, defence and government both nationally and internationally.”
The Academy continues to grow as a unique hub for practitioner-led research, enabling experienced leaders to develop advanced projects that inform strategy, operational delivery and leadership development.
Participants are enrolled across three key educational pathways: the Top-Up MSc in Management and Leadership; research projects being completed through the Masters by Research (MRes) route; and a number of candidates are undertaking their PhD within the PDA. Together, these pathways provide a flexible structure for senior practitioners to integrate academic study into their professional roles.
The event welcomed representation from Abu Dhabi Police, as well as a Spanish Ministry of the Interior / Guardia Civil supervision collaboration, reflecting the Academy’s expanding partnerships across Europe and the Middle East. The West Yorkshire Combined Authority also joined the new MRes cohort, building on regional collaborations in policing, community safety and public policy.
Professor John Synnott, Director of the Professional Doctoral Academy, added, “This induction reflects the scale and ambition of what we’ve built, a global community of senior professionals using research to drive meaningful change. Having both Chief Officers and Senior Police Officers, policy specialists, international attachés and defence personnel studying together and developing applied research in areas of strategic importance to their organisations and the wider sector is something no other UK institution is doing at this level.
“It’s a genuine meeting point between practice and academia, and it’s exciting to see the next phase of that take shape here.”
On the benefits of the pracademic model, Professor Maria Ioannou Deputy Director of the Professional Doctoral Academy, stated:
“Having worked in applied policing-based research all my career, I understand the challenges and complexities of engaging with secure and operationally sensitive organisation such as police agencies. By following an embedded researcher model, we can better navigate these complexities and access truly unique insights that strengthen our understanding of practice.”
The induction included presentations, workshops and networking sessions connecting UK, European and international partners. It reflects the University’s growing reputation as a global leader in professional-practice research, with the PDA now supporting well over 40 postgraduate candidates from law enforcement, government and defence agencies worldwide.
For further information about the Professional Doctoral Academy or partnership opportunities, please contact Ms Sandra Hirst, PDA Executive Manager - S.G.Hirst2@hud.ac.uk.