An academic whose ground-breaking study of Police Scotland stop and search tactics helped prompt a change of policy, is up for a top award for social science research.
Dr Kath Murray, of Edinburgh University, is one of two people shortlisted for a £10,000 award recognising studies which have had a significant impact, from newly qualified researchers.
Dr Murray's PhD research on stop and search provoked a major debate on the use of the controversial policing tactic in the wake of the creation of Police Scotland, after it raised questions about what searches were, how they were recorded and the legality of some searches of children.
It was subsequently revealed that some in the force had gone to considerable lengths to talk down the findings, including urging other academics to write newspaper articles defending stop and search and seeking 'positive' comments from other policing experts. The Scottish Government also attempted to tone down the research.
A Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research research fellow at the School of Law at Edinburgh University, Since completing her PhD in July last year, Dr Murray has produced a range of reports for the SCCJR and academic journals. Her most recent study ‘Policing in Cool and Hot Climates: Legitimacy, Power and the Rise and Fall of Mass Stop and Search in Scotland’ outlines a political climate of low scrutiny and minimal political engagement which hindered critical analysis of the work of Police Scotland.
She is shortlisted for the Economic and Social Research Council's (ESRC) Celebrating Impact Prize 2016 in the category of Outstanding Early Career Impact along with Martin Hearson of the London School of Economics & Political Science, whose research focuses on the politics of international taxation.
Dr Murray said: "Stop and search policy and practice in Scotland has changed at an extraordinary pace since 2014. As well as legal reform, we've seen a huge fall in the number of recorded stops and searches, and improved scrutiny and accountability. It is has been a challenging and a remarkable transition, and I'm absolutely delighted to be shortlisted for the ESRC Impact prize."
Professor Jane Elliott, Chief Executive of the ESRC, said: "The 2016 Celebrating Impact Prize provides an opportunity to reward those individuals who have achieved the best possible impact from their work, and through outstanding social science research have made a great difference to society."
Winners of the awards will be announced at a ceremony in London on June 22.
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