OPINION: The debate around gender identity principles and their impact on police guidance and processes is proving challenging for UK public sector organisations including policing; but Dr Kath Murray, policing researcher and part of the MurrayBlackburnMackenzie policy analysis collective, believes Police Scotland’s approach to the gender identity debate – driven in part by a risk-averse culture reflecting its difficult start and recent controversies – will prove particularly problematic for the force and the community.

ANALYSIS: Several Conservative PCCs have spoken out in recent weeks about the importance of ensuring police forces record sex-based data, not just self-identified gender. However, Police Scotland refused in a recent survey, insisting "we do not need to know". Kath Murray, Lucy Hunter Blackburn and Lisa Mackenzie of the MurrayBlackburnMackenzie Policy Analysis Collective argue this approach marginalises and endangers women, and risks the force being unable to meet its own legal obligations.

ANALYSIS: The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill, published in April, aims to consolidate existing hate crime legislation, as well as introducing new offences and abolishing blasphemy. Kath Murray, Lucy Hunter Blackburn and Lisa Mackenzie of the MurrayBlackburnMackenzie Policy Analysis Collective analyse and explain police responses to the new bill and its wide-ranging ramifications.

OPINION: How sex and gender identity should be defined in law and policy has become one of the most controversial of contemporary debates. The role of the police is in turn a topic of considerable contention. Dr Kath Murray, a Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, warns that police forces must acknowledge both perspectives in the debate for the sake of their own legitimacy.

ANALYSIS: The proposed absorption of British Transport Police into Police Scotland appears to be steaming ahead regardless of unresolved problems, deep opposition from BTP officers, and ever-increasing reputational risks. Independent researcher Dr Kath Murray and Dr Colin Atkinson of the University of the West of Scotland explain the ongoing issues.

ANALYSIS: The BTP Leaving Home research project investigates the impact of the proposed integration of the BTP into Police Scotland on BTP officers and staff in Scotland, exploring issues of organisational identity, community, and attachment. Independent researcher Dr Kath Murray and Dr Colin Atkinson of the University of the West of Scotland explain their findings

OPINION: Is the Scottish Police Authority too close to the Scottish government - and if so, what does this mean for holding Scottish policing to account? Independent researcher Kath Murray and former president of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents Niven Rennie examine the state of the SPA.

ANALYSIS: Should the proposed BTP merger with Police Scotland be put on hold? Calls for a delay have increased since a draft HMICS report described the decision to merge the forces as 'entirely political'. Kath Murray looks at the evidence.

OPINION: What do Brexit and the transfer of British Transport Police’s functions to Scotland have in common? Kath Murray warns that there are worrying similarities between the two processes - and dangers ahead if either goes badly.

OPINION: Recent weeks have seen the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) mired in controversy bordering on farce. Kath Murray examines the state of the SPA and warns that it must be made properly accountable to Parliament, and its ties to government ministers weakened.

ANALYSIS: The Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland have set out their strategy for policing in Scotland over the next ten years - Policing 2026. Independent researcher Kath Murray analyses the strategy and what it really means in the long term for policing in Scotland.

ANALYSIS: Did parliamentary scrutiny fail in the case of Police Scotland? Kath Murray argues that at least some of the difficulties that have since beset the force might be allied to the Scottish political system - here, she examines the evidence.

ANALYSIS: Should the Scottish Government go ahead with its planned integration of the British Transport Police (BTP) into Police Scotland? Kath Murray looks at the implications of the proposal - and warns that the case for integration needs to be made much clearer.