Exeter Policing, Evidence and Research Translation Project (ExPERT) Individual & Organisational Capacity Building through ‘Making Sense of Evidence’ Workshops Dr. Katharine Boyd, University of Exeter DCI Neil Ralph, Devon & Cornwall Police

Structure of ‘Making Sense of Evidence’ Workshops’ Day 1 (Location: Devon & Cornwall Police Headquarters) Official Welcome & Introductions Why Evidence and Research Matter Asking Research Questions What Constitutes ‘Good’ Evidence? Paired breakout sessions: 1) ‘What and Whether’ Studies 2)‘How and Why Studies’ Wrap up and ‘homework’ assignment Day 2 (Location: University of Exeter, Streatham Campus) Introduction Paired breakout sessions: 1) How to Determine ‘What Works’ 2) Where to Find Evidence for Evidence-Based Policing Small group session: Doing Evidence-Based Research Ethics in Research Focus on Local Practice and Use of Evidence Looking Forward in Relation to Evidence-Based Policing

The Organisational Change Process

Individual Capacity Building: Pre-Post Workshop Results 80 workshop participants completed a paper-and-pencil evaluation form immediately following the workshop. Post-workshop, participants were asked to rate their knowledge, skills, and confidence before and after the workshop (i.e., a retrospective pre-test) * * * Sample size: 80 * Statistically significant difference

Individual Capacity Building: Action Plans 75 workshop participants completed EBP action plans detailing up to three actions they intended to take forward into practice and what they would need to complete each one. Of the 45 workshop participants who responded to a follow-up survey, 75% stated that the progress on their action plans were underway. ACTION PLAN THEMES FREQUENCY OF THEME To search for research evidence or investigate sources of data/info. 27% To use EBP to approach a new research project or area of work 19% To share learning and champion EBP 18% To build EBP into my daily practice/the practice of my team 16% To network or collaborate with others 9% To challenge or review current ways of working 7% To undertake training or a professional research qualification 3%

Organisational Capacity Building: EBP Audit EBP audit was a survey where workshop participants rated how well they felt their organisation supported EBP. The survey was adapted from one used by Research in Practice (2012) within the social care sector. Respondents rated their agreement on a five-point scale (from ‘1-strongly agree’ to ‘5-strongly disagree’) Devon & Cornwall Workshop Attendees Sample size: 57 (of 61 D&C workshop attendees)

Capacity Building: Facilitators & Barriers Activity Workshop attendees were asked to highlight and categorise barriers and facilitators under one of three themes. Goal of activity was to encourage discussion and problem-solving amongst attendees around embedding EBP within their organisation. BARRIERS FACILITATORS Organisational Culture Lack of resources Limited management support Unwillingness to change (small-p) politics Presence of resources Management support Need/desire for evidence Willingness/recognition of need to change Individual Characteristics Limited time Lack of skills Resistance to change Knowledge/understanding/skills Willingness to change Flexible/protected time Networks & Processes Lack of access to data/information Not sharing information Lack of knowledge/training Resources Communication and support between Forces, multi-agency working, College of Policing Knowledge/training