‘Joined-up’ 999 thinking to fore
IN response to dramatic changes in the police, fire and ambulance services, Edge Hill University is launching a new Professional Doctorate.
Following the introduction of the Police and Crime Bill in February this year forcing the blue light services to collaborate, Edge Hill has launched the UK’s first Professional Doctorate in Emergency Services Management.
Open to senior staff already working in the sector, the research-based doctorate will allow them to explore the issues and challenges related to the three services working together.
The part-time course will focus on the professionalism of the emergency services, teaching leadership, management and business skills by bringing together academics, policymakers and fellow practitioners.
Created with the backing of senior managers from the police, fire and ambulance services, the Doctorate includes a research thesis allowing the student to study a particular issue or challenge they face at work and hopefully find solutions.
Course leader Paresh Wankhade, professor of Leadership and Management at Edge Hill, said: “This new and innovative programme of research will help candidates to develop professional management practice while gaining an appreciation and understanding of the relationship between management research and the professional practice of management.”
The programme will be officially launched with an event on Thursday, July 13 with key note speakers set to include Roy Wilshire, chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, Dr Anthony Marsh, chair of the Association of Ambulance chief executives, and Steve McGurk, trustee of the Fire Service Research & Training Trust.
Professor Helen Woodruffe–Burton, the director of Edge Hill Business School, added: “We are delighted to launch this very unique programme which addresses the research needs of the emergency services.
“The context in which these organisations currently operate is becoming increasingly complex and the pressures of funding, training and cultural transformations are being felt globally.
“We are confident that the research generated from this programme will help to solve real-life problems in these organisations.”
For more information on the programme please visit www.bit.ly/ProfDoc