A new £11.3million research centre that will work with uniformed public services to help address damaging behaviours, such as misogyny and racism, has appointed a policing expert to its senior team.
Professor Emma Williams has joined Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) as Professor and Director of the Centre of Excellence for Equity in Uniformed Public Services (CEEUPS). Dr Williams has spent more than 20 years in policing research specialising in professionalism, organisational fairness and the investigation of rape and sexual offending.
The new centre, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), will work in tandem with ARU’s established and highly acclaimed policing and military research institutes. It will work with public services such as police, fire, ambulance, military and prison services to respond effectively to challenges caused by negative workplace behaviours, develop inclusive cultures, and build public trust.
Professor Williams said: “Equality and diversity within working environments are fundamental and enriching for the workplace and are sadly not always met. This chance to work to change and improve this situation is a challenge I really welcome.
“Having the opportunity to take my experience and learning from research within the policing world and apply it to other uniformed public services is an absolute privilege.
“The Centre of Excellence for Equity in Uniformed Public Services is being launched at a time when public services are under such pressure. They are commonly experiencing similar challenging issues such as problems with retention, welfare issues, fairness, public confidence and legitimacy and diversity, alongside leadership and organisational challenges. Therefore, learning from each other to improve practice and policy is paramount.”
Professor Matt Fossey, Co-Director of the Centre for Equalities in Uniformed Public Services, said: “We are really looking forward to working with Emma as we grow a new dynamic team of academics and stakeholders from across the uniformed public services. There is a real opportunity to make a significant difference using evidence, applied academic tools and techniques, and importantly learning between organisations.”
The £11,305,900 award received earlier this year is ARU’s largest ever research grant and includes £1million of capital funding to develop a social sciences research laboratory at ARU’s Chelmsford campus.
