Dr Richard J White
Contact details
Telephone: 0114 225 2899
E-mail: Richard.White@shu.ac.uk
Academic qualifications
- PhD 'Understanding the process and complex dynamics of mutual aid' (University of Leicester)
- MSc Human Geography (University of Leicester)
- BA (Hons) Human Geography (University of Leicester)
Subject area
Human and Economic Geography
Profile
I joined Sheffield Hallam University from Warwick University in November 2006. To date, my principal areas of research have collectively focused on understanding the geographies of the informal economy in the Minority World/ advanced economies generally, and in particular through exploring community self-help, mutual aid and reciprocity. My key research findings, focused on both affluent and deprived communities, have critically challenged many dominant myths that surround our understanding of contemporary work and exchange in “capitalist” society.
In addition to disseminating this research through peer-reviewed journals, I have formally participated in many conferences and seminars both in the UK and overseas. In 2008, I was part of an official EU delegation team sent to Mexico City to contribute to the opening EU-Mexico dialogue on employment and social policy.
Research interests
- Re-thinking 'the economic' in economic geography.
- Harnessing alternative futures for work.
- Exploring the geographies of informal economic activities
- Moral geographies and the political economy of animal rights
- Young people’s bounded horizons and attachment to place
Teaching interests
- Economic geography
- Political Economy
- Radical Philosophy
- Dissident and critical geographies
- Moral geographies and the political economy of animal rights
- Research methods in the social sciences
- Theorizing urban change and conflict
- Protest movements
Author of
- Williams CC and White RJ (2008) “Variations in the nature of the hidden economy and its public policy implications” in D. Henckel, G. Spars and F Wukovitsch (eds) Arbeiten in der Grauzone, Peter Lang: Frankfurt
- Green AE and White RJ (2008) “Shaped by place: young people’s decisions about education, training and work” Benefits: The Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, Vol 16. No 3, pp 213-224
- Green, AE. and White RJ (2007) “Shifting Horizons: Attachment to place, (im)mobility and labour market prospects of young people”, Joseph Rowntree Foundation: York
- Williams C C, White R J and Aldridge T (in press) “Community self-help in rural England: Its role in tackling poverty and exclusion” London, The Countryside Agency
- White R J and Williams C C (2005) "Informal Volunteering and Older People" AGEToday, Issue 5 Citizenship: The difference older people make
- Williams C C and White R J (2003) "Conceptualising social inclusion – some lessons for action" Municipal Engineer Volume 156: issue ME2 pp. 91-96
- Williams C C and White R J (2002) “Tackling rural transport problems: a Third Sector approach” European Research in Regional Science, Volume 12
- Williams C C and White R J (2002) "The transformation of English rural communities" Municipal Engineer Volume ME151 Issue 03
Research and consultancy projects
- Hasluck C, Bimrose J, Barnes S-A, Brown J, Marris L, McGivern G, Orton M and White R J (2006) "Evaluation of Skills Coaching trials and Skills Passports, A synthesis of qualitative and quantitative evidence" Warwick Institute for Employment Research. Department for Work and Pensions, Research Report No.391
- Green A, Homenidou K, White R J and Wilson R (2006) "Working Futures 2004-14: Spatial Report", Warwick Institute for Employment Research.
- Sanderson I, Green A and White R J (2005) "Employment Strategies in Newham and Hull NDC: Research Report 62", Sheffield Hallam University
Editorial Responsibilities
- International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy
- Journal of Critical Animal Studies
Senior Speaker for
- Transformative Studies Institute
