Project Description:

In today’s digital age, the line between online and offline spaces is increasingly blurred, enabling the proliferation of violence against women and girls (VAWG) in ways that law enforcement is often ill-equipped to address. As technology advances, so do the tactics of those who perpetrate harm, creating new complexities for policing responses. While legal and policy frameworks such as the Online Safety Act 2023, the EU AI Act 2024, and the EU Digital Services Act have emerged, responses to online harms are still often fragmented, reactive, and lack cohesion.

Policing online harms targeting women and girls requires a proactive, evidence-driven, victim-centred approach. A key challenge remains the gap in knowledge about the diverse forms of online violence and the resulting lack of comprehensive policing strategies to prevent, investigate, and respond to these harms. This challenge is underscored by findings from Prof Jurasz’s (2024) four-nation study, which calls for a more informed and coordinated response to online gendered violence.

Key Information:

• Campus-based (The Open Business University) study only.
• Starting date: 1^st October 2026.
• Application date: 12:00 (midday) (GMT) on 7^th January 2026.

Research Opportunity:

We invite PhD proposals focused on understanding, preventing, and responding to technology-facilitated violence against women and girls. Applicants will explore ways to strengthen policing strategies, foster better collaborations, and support officers in addressing the growing complexity of online gendered harm.

Key Themes:

1. Legitimacy and Prevention:

• How can policing improve public trust and confidence in addressing online harms?
• What victim-centred approaches and proactive strategies can policing develop to prevent and respond to gendered online harms?
• How can policing foster integrated collaboration with technology platforms and other agencies to combat online violence against women and girls?

2. Officer Well-being and Skills Development:

• What training and resources are needed to equip police officers with the skills to investigate online harms effectively?
• How can police organisations support officer well-being when dealing with complex, tech-mediated cases of abuse?

3. Understanding Suspect Behaviour:

• What are the behavioural patterns of individuals perpetrating gendered online harms, and how can these insights inform proactive interventions?
• How does anonymity and the disinhibition effect of online spaces influence suspect behaviour?

4. Intersectionality and Vulnerability:

• How can policing tailor responses to the diverse experiences of women from intersecting identities and vulnerabilities in online spaces?
• What role does intersectionality play in shaping risk factors, victim experiences, and reporting behaviours?

Impact:

This PhD research will have a significant impact on policing by:

• Contributing to evidence-based strategies for preventing online gendered violence.
• Improving victim-centred practices and support services.
• Enhancing officer training and wellbeing to better address tech-mediated abuse.
• Influencing the development of legal and policy frameworks that better reflect the experiences of women and girls in online spaces.

Successful proposals may explore innovative frameworks and methods for policing, and applicants with backgrounds in policing, gender studies, law, criminology, psychology, technology, or public policy are particularly encouraged to apply.

Centre for Protecting Women Online:

The successful candidate will be based at the Centre for Protecting Women Online at the Open University. This centre, funded by a £7.7 million grant from Research England, is dedicated to understanding and tackling the challenges that women and girls face in online spaces. The Centre adopts a novel, interdisciplinary research agenda, working across five interconnected areas: Law & Policy, Human Behaviour, The Future of Responsible Tech, Ethical Tech/AI, and Policing.

The Centre’s mission is to reduce online harms through cross-sector collaborations, informing law, policy, and technology development. The work aims to ensure accountability and justice, while promoting pro-social behaviours and responsible use of technology.

About the Supervisors:

• Prof Olga Juraszis a leading expert on law, policy, and gender issues, focusing on online safety and violence.
• Dr Keely Duddinspecializes in policing, with a focus on the intersection of technology, law enforcement, and public safety.

Application Process:

Candidates interested in this PhD opportunity are encouraged to submit proposals that address one or more of the key themes outlined above.

For more information on how to apply: Click Here

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a critical area of public safety and make a tangible difference in the fight against online violence. Join us in shaping the future of policing in the digital age.