Ministry of Justice: areas of research interest 2025 · first published 24 September 2025
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has published its updated Areas of Research Interest (ARI) for 2025, listing the evidence gaps it most wants external researchers to help fill over the next three to five years. The ARI covers prisons, probation, courts, legal services, family justice, digital technology, and sustainability. It is not a procurement tender — it does not award contracts directly — but it signals where the MOJ is likely to commission research, fund fellowships, and form data-sharing partnerships. Small businesses that conduct research, evaluation, data science, or consultancy in justice-related fields can use this document to align their pitches and capability statements to MOJ priorities. Engagement routes include a monthly seminar series, an Academic Network, fellowships and secondments, and the Data First secure data-access programme. The document is aimed primarily at the external research community, but commercial research and consultancy firms (including SMEs) are implicitly within scope.
WHO THIS APPLIES TO
THE ENKII VIEW
For small research, evaluation, or data-science firms, this ARI is a forward pipeline signal: it maps exactly where MOJ spending on evidence is likely to flow for the next three to five years, covering high-demand areas such as AI in justice, electronic monitoring, reoffending interventions, and LawTech adoption. Notably, the document explicitly names SME legal needs and LawTech adoption by SMEs as research topics MOJ wants studied — meaning firms with relevant expertise in those niches have a ready-made hook for engagement. The Data First programme and fellowship routes offer low-barrier entry points for smaller organisations that cannot yet win large research contracts but can build a track record and relationships inside MOJ.
1. Review the ARI's full list of research themes and identify the two or three areas that best match your firm's expertise; update your capability statement and website to use the same language MOJ uses (e.g. 'desistance measurement', 'electronic monitoring evaluation', 'LawTech adoption barriers') so you appear relevant when MOJ searches for suppliers.
SMEs offering research, evaluation, or data-science services in justice-related fields — The ARI explicitly states it 'provides a foundation for engagement and collaborations' and signals where future commissions will flow — aligning your language to MOJ's increases your discoverability and credibility.
2. Contact evidence_partnerships@justice.gov.uk to introduce your firm and reference the named ARI priorities on LawTech adoption by SMEs and the legal needs of small businesses — these are verbatim topics MOJ has flagged as evidence gaps.
SMEs with expertise in legal technology, SME behaviour, or legal services markets — The document explicitly names SME LawTech adoption and SME legal needs as research priorities, giving small firms in these niches a direct and credible hook for proactive engagement.
3. Explore the Data First programme (datafirst@justice.gov.uk) as a route to access linked MOJ justice data for research projects — completing a Data First project builds a track record and relationships inside MOJ that support future commercial bids.
SMEs offering AI, machine learning, or data analytics services — The document describes Data First as having facilitated over 60 research projects via the ONS Secure Research Service, and lists AI and machine learning as priority research methods — making this a credible pipeline-building route.
4. Position proposals around MOJ's estate sustainability priorities — specifically carbon reduction, climate resilience, and facilities management — citing the document's confirmation that MOJ represented over 20% of government carbon emissions in 2022.
SMEs in sustainability, facilities management research, or environmental monitoring — The ARI identifies sustainable operations and estate management as a named cross-cutting research theme and confirms MOJ's outsized environmental footprint, signalling sustained demand for evidence in this area.
5. Join MOJ's Academic Network (via evidence_partnerships@justice.gov.uk) and register to attend the monthly ARI seminar series — these are the primary channels through which MOJ announces collaboration opportunities, funding calls, and fellowship schemes.
All SMEs wishing to engage with MOJ research commissioning — The document lists the Academic Network and seminar series as the main engagement mechanisms MOJ uses to connect with external partners and share upcoming opportunities.
6. Apply for MOJ fellowships and secondment schemes (flagged via the Academic Network) — even a three-month placement embeds your staff inside MOJ teams, generating relationships and intelligence that support future contract wins.
SMEs offering evaluation or STEM research services — The document states that fellowships range from 'three-month PhD student placements to 18-month embedded policy fellowships' and that embedded researchers generate 'new and impactful evidence across departmental priorities' that directly reaches decision-makers.
Every rule below quotes the official document verbatim.
The ARI covers MOJ's priority research questions for the next three to five years, structured around three strategic objectives: prisons/probation, criminal courts, and civil/family/administrative justice. (MOJ and its agencies; external research community including academics and research organisations.)
“The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) Areas of Research Interest (ARI) summarises the most important research questions facing the department over the next three to five years.”
MOJ has established an Evidence and Partnerships Hub to facilitate collaboration with academics, research networks, and funders. (All external research partners engaging with MOJ.)
“This is why we established the MOJ's first Evidence and Partnerships Hub. The Hub reflects MOJ's commitment to working in partnership with academics, research networks and funders to enhance our decision-making.”
MOJ's Academic Network has over 400 experts across justice and methodological disciplines. (External researchers and organisations wishing to engage with MOJ.)
“Establishing a diverse Academic Network, with over 400 experts across justice and methodological disciplines, enabling us to use specialist insights to tackle evidence-based policy or operational challenges.”
The Data First programme has shared nine datasets and facilitated over 60 academic research projects, with access via the ONS Secure Research Service. (Researchers seeking access to linked MOJ administrative data.)
“We have now shared nine datasets, linking people and cases from across the civil, family and criminal courts, prisons and probation services, as well as a datashare with the Department for Education. We have facilitated over 60 academic research projects using this data.”
MOJ represented over 20% of government carbon emissions, water consumption, and waste footprint in 2022, making sustainability research a significant departmental interest. (Sustainability and environmental research suppliers engaging with MOJ.)
“In 2022 MOJ and its agencies represented over 20% of government's carbon emissions, water consumption and waste footprint.”
MOJ explicitly lists LawTech adoption by SMEs as a named research priority, including barriers and drivers to innovation and adoption in small and medium-sized enterprises. (Research organisations with expertise in legal technology, SME behaviour, and innovation.)
“What is the current state of adoption of technology in legal services and what are the drivers and barriers to innovation and adoption, specifically in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)?”
MOJ lists the legal needs of small and medium-sized businesses and the extent to which the legal services market meets those needs as a named research priority. (Research organisations with expertise in legal services markets and SME access to justice.)
“What are main legal needs of small and medium sized businesses? To what extent does the legal service market meet these needs at a fair and accessible price?”
MOJ lists the impact of court delays on small and medium-sized businesses as a named civil courts research priority. (Research organisations with expertise in civil justice and business impacts.)
“What impact do delays in the justice system have on small and medium sized businesses? How can these impacts be reduced?”
AI and machine learning — including large language models and algorithmic decision-support — are listed as priority research methods MOJ wants to apply across its evidence programme. (Data science and AI research suppliers engaging with MOJ.)
“Data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI): using digital tools for AI whilst ensuring transparency, accountability and reserved legal activities; algorithmic decision-support and decision-making; large language models for feature extraction and the analysis of complex textual data.”
Electronic monitoring is a named evidence priority, covering deterrence, GPS and alcohol abstinence monitoring, quality of life impacts, and which technology works best for whom. (Research and evaluation suppliers with expertise in electronic monitoring and community sentences.)
“Which electronic monitoring technology is the most beneficial, for whom, and under which circumstances? How can the technology be optimised both in terms of delivery and improving outcomes?”
Emerging technologies including drones, biometric security, wearable tech, virtual reality training, and predictive analytics are listed as prison safety research priorities. (STEM and technology research suppliers engaging with MOJ.)
“How can emerging technologies support security and safety of prisons, including technologies such as wearable tech, biometric security systems, virtual reality training, and predictive analytics?”
MOJ runs a monthly ARI academic seminar series, an Academic Network, fellowships and secondments (including three-month PhD placements and 18-month embedded policy fellowships), and the Data First data-access programme as engagement routes. (All external research partners, including small firms and consultancies.)
“Implementing a range of research fellowships and secondments, from three-month PhD student placements to 18-month embedded policy fellowships.”
The central contact for collaboration and ARI enquiries is evidence_partnerships@justice.gov.uk; the Data First team can be reached at datafirst@justice.gov.uk. (All external organisations wishing to engage with MOJ on research.)
“Contact us at evidence_partnerships@justice.gov.uk if you would like to explore ways to collaborate, discuss this ARI or have any questions about academic engagement at MOJ.”
This briefing is enkii's interpretation of the official document — the official text always governs.
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