South East Technological University has joined a new national initiative offering criminal justice professionals support to undertake a part-time PhD.

The Criminal Justice Professionals’ Doctoral Training Partnership will provide five professionals with a 50% tuition fee waiver over six years.

SETU is one of five universities taking part, alongside Dublin City University, Maynooth University, University College Cork and the University of Limerick.

Each university will support one successful applicant.

The initiative is aimed at professionals working in areas connected to crime or criminal justice, with research expected to focus on improving policy, professional practice and outcomes for communities affected by the justice system.

At SETU, Dr. Niamh Maguire and Dr. Fionnuala Brennan from the Department of Law and Criminal Justice will be available as prospective doctoral supervisors.

Successful applicants will undertake a part-time PhD over six years while continuing in their professional roles.

Professor Marie Claire Van Hout, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Impact at SETU, said the scheme would help connect academic research with frontline experience.

‘This partnership creates an opportunity for professionals to investigate challenges they encounter in their work, contribute to meaningful policy and practice developments, and ultimately improve outcomes for individuals, families and communities,’ she said.

Applications are open to employees of public, publicly funded and non-profit organisations in the Republic of Ireland whose work relates to crime or criminal justice.

Applicants must be resident in Ireland, eligible for EU tuition fees and secure the support of a prospective supervisory team and their employer.

Applications close at 5pm on Friday, the 9th of July, 2027.