Ali Malik

Dr. Ali Malik is a Lecturer in Criminal Justice at the University of Leeds' School of Law, part of the Faculty of Social Sciences. He joined in May 2023, previously serving as Assistant Professor in Criminology and Policing at Northumbria University (2019-2023), where he led policing degree programs. His professional background includes roles as Associate Inspector at HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (2017-2021). He holds a PhD in Criminology from the University of Edinburgh (2013-2017), focusing on police governance post-2013 reforms in Scotland.

Malik's research examines police governance efficacy, particularly in ensuring community-responsive policing. His interdisciplinary work bridges epistocracy (knowledge-based governance) with democratic policing, public administration, and accountability. His monograph The Politics of Police Governance: Scottish Police Reform, Localism, and Epistocracy (2024) introduces a novel framework synthesizing these concepts. He engages in policy advocacy, contributing to Scottish Parliament scrutiny and producing research briefings for the Scottish Institute for Policing Research.

Current research focuses on climate change impacts on policing, exploring how local governance actors address climate vulnerabilities and community resilience. As a Michael Beverley Innovation Fellow (2023-24), he collaborates with HMICS, the College of Policing, and international scholars. Recent projects include a study on English as an Additional Language (EAL) in police recruitment assessments, influencing policy changes, and a thematic inspection of Police Scotland’s training with HMICS.

Malik’s work spans academic and applied domains, with publications in criminology, policing, and public health. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and active in professional networks like the European Society of Criminology. He advises on postgraduate research and contributes to policy dialogues through media outlets including BBC and The Economist.