COPR Early Career Researcher Symposium
In April 2024, COPR hosted its inaugural Early Career Researcher Symposium, showcasing the research of postgraduate students and faculty members from multiple institutions across the UK (and even some guests from beyond the UK). Researchers from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds, including law, psychology, computer science, sociology, and criminology, presented on topics ranging from the right to custodial legal advice; county lines policing; the policing of public spaces; covert policing; to child forensic interviews. Our aim was to provide early career researchers with a friendly, supportive environment in which they could share their work, rapidly build networks, and receive constructive feedback and active mentorship from those facing similar challenges in researching police issues.
We also wanted our symposium to be accessible, so registration was free and we provided small travel bursaries to those who most needed them. Importantly, the symposium schedule included regular coffee breaks and a stellar buffet lunch which provided relaxed settings for informal discussions and networking to transpire. The feedback from attendees was, and continues to be, so positive that we now host a COPR Early Career Researcher Symposium every year, with generous support from 海角社区鈥檚 Law School and Psychology Department.
The COPR ECR Symposium is a one-day, in-person, event which typically takes place in April/May each year at the University of 海角社区. It is open to all and attendance is free of charge. Modest bursaries are available to help cover the cost of travel for those without access to funding, and refreshments and lunch are provided. Speaking slots are reserved for early career researchers only. The call for abstracts opens 2-3 months before the symposium date. Prospective speakers are invited to submit a 250-word abstract and those who want to attend (and not present) can simply register as an attendee. Presentations are around 15-20 minutes and sessions are chaired by academic colleagues, providing feedback and a stimulus for discussion. Due to financial and practical constraints, we can only accept a maximum of around 12 presenters plus 25 attendees at each symposium.
Each year we propose a broad theme that should be of interest to a wide range of researchers who bring different theoretical perspectives and methodologies to exploring crucial issues in policing. Previous themes have included:
Dimensions of Police Research: From Borders to BoroughsLink opens in a new window (2024)
Doing Police Research: Approaches and ChallengesLink opens in a new window (2025)
Researching Police: Subjects, Participants or Partners? Link opens in a new window(2026)
If you would like to receive notifications about our next symposium, please register your interest at COPR@warwick.ac.uk. We look forward to welcoming you to COPR at the University of 海角社区.