Dr Lauren Metcalfe

Course Director

Health, Education, Policing and Sciences

I completed my undergraduate degree in Police and Criminal Investigation at the University of Central Lancashire, graduating with a first. I then continued to study, undertaking a masters in Criminal Investigation and a Ph.D in Evidence Based Policing. For my doctoral research, I worked with Lancashire Constabulary, conducting research on the nature of gang-related gun crime in Preston; assessing the complexities of the issue, profiling the individuals involved and working towards a greater understanding for more effective preventative measures in the future.

Following my studies, I was employed as a researcher; involved in Policing research projects, collaborating with Police Forces and their partner agencies, including Lancashire Constabulary, Cumbria Constabulary and Greater Manchester Police. I was also seconded to Lancashire Constabulary’s Evidence Based Policing team, before moving to Staffordshire University in 2017 to undertake a lecturing role. In 2018, I became course leader and currently hold a number of teaching and administration responsibilities. I also engage with the Erasmus+ programme and we collaborate with institutions within Europe.

Passionate about Evidence Based Policing research, I have broad research interests related to the field of policing. I currently supervise a number of Undergraduate and MSci research projects and supervise policing PhD researchers. We continue to develop and improve the policing research capacity within the department and collaborate with local police services to ensure our research has real world applicability.

Professional memberships and activities

Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Academic qualifications

  • PhD, Examining Gun Crime in Preston: Assessing the Risk and Aiding Prevention
  • Certificate in HE Teaching Toolkit
  • MSc in Criminal Investigation
  • BSc (Hons) in Police and Criminal Investigation

Expertise

  • Evidence Based Policing research

  • Research methods

Research interests

  • Serious and Organised Crime

  • Criminal use of firearms

  • Police culture and practice

  • Police officer welfare

  • Victim experience and victim support services

  • Interagency Working

  • Policing and Social Media

  • Police demand

Teaching

Undergraduate

  • Policing Science (Level 4) - Module Leader

  • Introduction to Policing (Level 4)

  • Missing Persons (Level 4)

  • Academic Skills (Level 4) - Module Leader

  • Research and Professional Skills for Policing Students (Level 5) - Module Leader

  • Crime and Dishonesty (Level 5)

  • Research Methods (Level 5) - Module Leader

  • Independent Project for Policing Students (Level 6) - Module Leader

  • Case File to Court (Level 6)

  • Evidence Based Research Project (Level 6) - Module Leader

  • Applying Research (Level 6) - Module Leader

Postgraduate

  • Advanced Research Methods (Level 7)

  • Advanced Investigative Techniques (Level 7)

Publications

Boulton, L., McManus, M., Metcalfe, L., Brian, D. & Dawson, I. (2016). Calls for police service: Understanding the demand profile and the UK police response. The Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0032258X16671032

Christmas, H., Hindle, L., McManus, M., Metcalfe, L., and Srivastava, J. (2018) Policing and Health Collaboration in England and Wales. Landscape review. Public Health England, London.

External profiles

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021