Evidence-Based Policing South Africa: mini-conference

Connecting researchers, police and public safety actors to improve policing and prevent crime in South Africa.

Evidence-Based Policing South Africa is a community of researchers, police officers, government officials and allies working to generate and apply research evidence that can help improve policing and public safety in the country. This virtual mini-conference provides an opportunity for the community to exchange ideas, explore new research and strengthen partnerships. A range of themes and topics will be covered, including:

  • Police preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic
  • How police understand and experience democracy as officers and citizens
  • State of research evidence and policing in South Africa
  • Measurement challenges for evaluating policing and safety interventions
  • Building bridges and aligning the work of universities, civil society and police researchers
  • Insights from the UK on the role of partnerships in generating and applying evidence
  • Xenophobia, policing and the potential for evidence-based improvements
  • Assessing institutional readiness prior to an intervention

Registration is open to the public, but attendance will be subject to approval. If you don’t work or volunteer in an area with clear links to research, public safety, governance or policing, please provide a short motivation for your attendance when you register. An agenda and access link will be provided after registration and approval.

Chairpersons:

  • Dr Andrew Faull, Senior Researcher, Justice and Violence Prevention, ISS
  • Maj-Gen Oswald Reddy, Eden Cluster Commander, SAPS
  • Jody van der Heyde, Research Intern, Justice and Violence Prevention, ISS
  • Lillian Mashele, Deputy-Director, Policy and Research, Civilian Secretariat for Police Service
  • Ayanda Mazibuko, Researcher, Justice and Violence Prevention, ISS

Speakers:

  • Brig (Dr) Kobus Schwartz, SAPS Research
  • Supt Neil Ralph, Society of Evidence Based Policing (SEBP), Devon & Cornwall Police, UK
  • Themba Masuku, African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum (APCOF)
  • Dr Anine Kriegler, Centre of Criminology, University of Cape Town
  • Kelly Stone, Senior Consultant, ISS
  • Dr Alex Sutherland, Director of Research & Evaluation, Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), UK
  • Dr Barbara Holtmann, Fixed
  • Dr Heidi Brooks, Senior Researcher, Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA)
  • Prof Elrena van der Spuy, Centre of Criminology, University of Cape Town
  • Ass Prof Kelley Moult, Centre of Criminology, University of Cape Town
Development partners
This conference is funded by the Hanns Seidel Foundation and the Bavarian State Chancellery. The ISS is also grateful for support from the members of the ISS Partnership Forum: the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the European Union, the Open Society Foundations and the governments of Canada, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the USA.
Related content