Key facts
About this scholarship
Benefits:
We are seeking five honours candidates to join Next Generation Policing: Effective and Ethical Use of AI and Data Science in Law Enforcement at the University of New England.
As the volume and variety of information available to police grows, so does the need to understand how emerging technologies can be used effectively and responsibly. This program brings together policing, technology and ethics to investigate how AI and data science can support police work while protecting fairness, accountability and public trust.
You will work with UNE academics and police practitioners on a focused honours project, with two scholarships offered in partnership with the NSW Police Force (NSWPF) and three with the Western Australia Police Force (WAPOL).
The program combines financial support, research training and practical experience, giving you an opportunity to develop your research skills and contribute to real-world policing challenges.
Number offered:
5
Description:
About the project
Projects will be developed with academic supervisors and specialists from the relevant police partner, with each project scoped to suit a one-year honours thesis. Students will complete a six-day industry placement and participate in selected CSIRO Next Generation coursework and cohort activities.
Potential research areas include:
- AI-assisted investigations: examining how AI can help police analyse written records, images or video.
- Fairness and bias: investigating how data quality and algorithmic bias affect policing tools and decisions.
- Privacy, transparency and accountability: exploring the safeguards needed for responsible use of AI in law enforcement.
- Human judgement and AI: examining how police assess and use information produced by emerging technologies.
- Public trust: exploring community perspectives on the use of AI and data science in policing.
- Evaluation of policing technologies: assessing the accuracy, usefulness or limitations of a specific tool or application.
- Training and organisational readiness: investigating how police can be supported to understand and use AI effectively.
Projects may use qualitative, quantitative or computational approaches, depending on the research question and your background. Research topics will be agreed with supervisors and the police partner, subject to data availability and relevant approvals.
*If you have another strong idea that aligns with the objectives of the NSWPF, and the need for smart, ethical, and efficient AI solutions, we welcome your expression of interest.
Program highlights
- Work with academics in criminology, computer science and related disciplines.
- Undertake research connected to police priorities.
- Gain practical experience through a placement with NSWPF or WAPOL.
- Build skills through CSIRO training in AI and emerging technologies.
- Connect with a national cohort of students, researchers and industry specialists
- Develop a foundation for further research or a career involving policing, policy or technology.
Overview of the CSIRO NGGP Program: https://vimeo.com/852584622
Overview of the Next Generation Policing: Effective and ethical use of AI and data science in law enforcement: https://www.csiro.au/en/work-with-us/funding-programs/funding/next-generation-graduates-programs/awarded-programs/next-generation-policing-effective-and-ethical-use-of-ai-and-data-science-in
How will the scholarship be paid?
CSIRO Next Generation Graduates Program
- Funders: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), NSW Police Force (NSWPF), with students enrolled at the University of New England (UNE)
- Honour's program length: 1 year
- Industry placement: 6 days with the relevant police partner.
Funding and Support:
- Stipend: $10,000
- Training allowance: $5,000 total.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for this scholarship, applicants must meet the following core and scholarship specific eligibility requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Domestic |
| New or Continuing | New students - Meet UNE’s admission requirements for an appropriate honours course and be enrolled when the scholarship commences |
| Study Mode | On Campus or Online |
| Study Load | Full Time |
| Course type | Honours year of Degree |
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Degree/School/Discipline | Criminology, Artificial Intelligence |
| Other | Applicants should be able to meet the following criteria. *Not be in full-time employment at scholarship commencement. |
Before you apply
Before you apply for this scholarship, please ensure you have read and understood the below important information:
Before you apply
Applicants should discuss their research interests and eligibility with the program lead before applying.
Successful candidates will be required to complete the relevant security checks, enter into a student agreement, undertake the six-day placement and participate in the required CSIRO training activities. Placement arrangements will be agreed with the student, supervisors and police partner.
Applicants will need to provide the following supporting documents:
- National Police Check (security vetting as required by NSWPF before placement).
- WWCC if applicable to placement setting.
- Driver’s licence (where necessary for site access).
- Two referee reports.
Apply for a scholarship
Applications are managed by Dr Kyle Mulrooney (CI) at the University of New England (questions and expressions of interest to be directed to kmulroon@une.edu.au)
*Students must submit a research proposal of 1000 words, containing a written, cogent, proposal of the topic, which must include a thesis statement, and/or a problem to be solved, and/or a question to be answered, and/or a line of argument to be explored.
*Students must have the support of a suitably qualified supervisor who is a member of the relevant discipline.
