Dr Julian Dobson PhD
Senior Research Fellow
Summary
Julian is a researcher and writer with a broad interest in place and society, and a particular focus on the complex systemic changes required to achieve environmentally and socially just approaches to urban life. His research expertise is in social and economic regeneration, urban greenspace, town and city centres and the civic role of universities. He is especially interested in how and why change happens and the role of evidence in shaping policy and practice.
About
Julian joined CRESR as senior research fellow in 2020. With a previous career in journalism and consultancy before moving into academia, he has given evidence to parliamentary inquiries, written for a wide range of academic and general audiences, and spoken at national and international conferences. He is author or editor of four books including How to Save Our Town Centres (Policy Press, 2015) and Reframing the Civic University (Palgrave Macmillan, 2023) and was the founding editor of the regeneration magazine New Start. His PhD at CRESR focused on institutional change and sustainability transitions.
Research interests
Place, policy and community: I am interested in urban settlements and how they can be more socially just, sustainable and inclusive. Building on previous work on the future of town centres and high streets, I am leading development of the High Streets Research Network at Sheffield Hallam University and have worked with Power to Change on research related to their 'Take Back the High Street' campaign.
I have also researched the benefits of public urban green spaces, working with the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Health Foundation and as part of the Improving Wellbeing through Urban Nature project at the University of Sheffield. Most recently I was part of the team evaluating the national Green Social Prescribing pilots.
Institutional and societal change: I am interested in how and why change happens, or fails to happen. I have led work to develop a Civic Impact Framework to assess the difference universities make within their communities, and am currently part of the team developing the National Civic Impact Accelerator programme. My PhD focused on the role of urban 'anchor institutions' in advancing transitions to a low-carbon society. Evidence, policy and practice: My professional history in journalism, consultancy, and current academic research, bridges the worlds of academia, policy and practice. I am constantly seeking both to understand and to question conventional understandings of how these links work.
Research
- Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research
Current research projects
Please contact me for further details about these research projects and for summaries of the findings.
2023-2024 High Streets Research Network, Sheffield Hallam University. Role: Project Director.
2022-2026 National Civic Impact Accelerator, Research England. Role: Member of the research team.
2022-2023 Community Improvement Districts: learning and policy recommendations, Power to Change. Role: Project Director.
2021-22 Organisations supporting community control and decision-making, Local Trust. Role: Project Director.
2019-22 Future Parks Accelerator evaluation, National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Trust. Role: member of the research team.
2019-22 Evaluation of market development, Power to Change. Role: member of the research team.
2019-20 Public space for public good, evidence review and scoping study, Health Foundation. Role: member of the research team.
2019-20 Parks for People evaluation and evidence review, National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery Community Fund. Role: member of the research team.
Publications
Key Publications
Dobson, J., Udall, J., Baker, C., & Jackson, A.C. (2024). Commoning Civics: Exchanges of Knowledge Beyond the ‘Civic University’. New Formations, 110 (110), 42-59. http://doi.org/10.3898/newf:110-111.03.2024
Dobson, J., & Ferrari, E. (Eds.). (2023). Reframing the civic university: an agenda for impact. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17686-9
Dobson, J., & Ferrari, E. (Eds.). (2023). Reframing the civic university: an agenda for impact. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17686-9
Dobson, J. (2021). Wellbeing and blue-green space in post-pandemic cities: drivers, debates and departures. Geography compass. http://doi.org/10.1111/gec3.12593
Dobson, J., Birch, J., Brindley, P., Henneberry, J., McEwan, K., Mears, M., ... Jorgensen, A. (2021). The magic of the mundane: The vulnerable web of connections between urban nature and wellbeing. Cities, 108, 102989. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2020.102989
Journal articles
Dobson, J. (2024). Jeevendrampillai, David. Citizenship, democracy and belonging in suburban Britain: making the local. xviii, 210 pp., illus., bibliogr. London: UCL Press, 2021. £25.00 (paper) (Book review). Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 30 (4), 1163-1164. http://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9655.14226
Dobson, J. (2024). Editorial: Post-election special issue. People, Place and Policy Online, 18 (2), 66-68. http://doi.org/10.3351/ppp.2024.7347255754
Gore, T., Bimpson, E., Dobson, J., & Parkes, S. (2023). Path Clearing, Policy Acceleration or Trend Reinforcement: Potential Implications of Selected Local Government Responses to Covid-19 in the UK. International Review of Public Policy, 5 (3), 313-344. http://doi.org/10.4000/irpp.3872
Dobson, J. (2023). Book review - The Unsettling Outdoors: Environmental estrangement in everyday life. People, Place and Policy Online. http://doi.org/10.3351/ppp.2023.3984224886
Dobson, J. (2022). Boosterism and belonging: ‘pride in place’ and the levelling-up agenda. People, Place and Policy Online, 16 (2), 170-176. http://doi.org/10.3351/ppp.2022.2679785798
Dobson, J., Gore, T., Graham, K., & Swade, K. (2021). Paradise Regained? Localised and Limited Nature Connexions in the UK's Covid-19 Lockdown. Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, 3. http://doi.org/10.3389/frsc.2021.708209
Dempsey, N., & Dobson, J. (2021). Planning for sociable green spaces after COVID-19. Town Planning Review, 92 (2), 171-179. http://doi.org/10.3828/tpr.2020.84
Dobson, J., & Dempsey, N. (2021). Known but not done: how logics of inaction limit the benefits of urban green spaces. Landscape Research, 1-13. http://doi.org/10.1080/01426397.2020.1864819
Richardson, M., Dobson, J., Abson, D.J., Lumber, R., Hunt, A., Young, R., & Moorhouse, B. (2020). Applying the pathways to nature connectedness at a societal scale: a leverage points perspective. Ecosystems and People, 16 (1), 387-401. http://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2020.1844296
Dobson, J., & Dempsey, N. (2020). Why practice doesn't make perfect. . http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44480-8_1
Dobson, J., & Dempsey, N. (2020). Mind the gap: Does what we know about greenspace and wellbeing change what we do? . http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44480-8_7
Dempsey, N., & Dobson, J. (2020). Realigning knowing and doing: An agenda for reflection and action. . http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44480-8_9
Dobson, J. (2020). A part and yet apart: how third sector visions of carbon reduction are both welcomed and marginalised. Voluntary Sector Review, 11 (2), 187-204. http://doi.org/10.1332/204080519x15756858754217
Dempsey, N., & Dobson, J. (2020). Preface. Cities and Nature, Part F334, ix.
Dobson, J., & Dempsey, N. (2019). Working out what works: The role of tacit knowledge where urban greenspace research, policy and practice intersect. Sustainability, 11 (18), 5029. http://doi.org/10.3390/su11185029
DOBSON, J. (2019). Book Review. Town Planning Review, 90 (3), 327-328. http://doi.org/10.3828/tpr.2019.22
Dobson, J. (2018). The Battle for the High Street: Retail Gentrification, Class and Disgust. TOWN PLANNING REVIEW, 89 (2), 204-205.
Dobson, J. (2018). From contest to context: urban green space and public policy. People, Place and Policy Online, 12 (2), 72-83. http://doi.org/10.3351/ppp.2018.3824435278
Dobson, J. (2018). Reinterpreting urban institutions for sustainability: How epistemic networks shape knowledge and logics. Environmental Science & Policy, 92, 133-140. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2018.11.018
Dobson, J. (2017). Cities That Think Like Planets: Complexity, Resilience, and Innovation in Hybrid Ecosystems (Book Review). Town Planning Review, 88 (3), 381-382. http://doi.org/10.3828/tpr.2017.24
Dobson, J. (2017). From ‘me towns’ to ‘we towns’: activist citizenship in UK town centres. Citizenship Studies, 21 (8), 1015-1033. http://doi.org/10.1080/13621025.2017.1380605
Dobson, J. (2016). Book Review - The Metropolitan Revolution: How Cities and Metros Are Fixing Our Broken Politics and Fragile Economy. People Place and Policy Online, 10 (3), 257-259. http://doi.org/10.3351/ppp.0010.0003.0007
Dobson, J. (2016). Rethinking town centre economies: Beyond the ‘place or people’ binary. Local Economy, 31 (3), 335-343. http://doi.org/10.1177/0269094216640472
Dobson, J. (2015). Britain’s town centres: From resilience to transition. Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal, 8 (4), 347-355. https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/hsp/jurr/2015/00000008/00000004/art00005
Dobson, J. (2015). Achieving food equity : Access to good local food for all. Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal, 8 (2), 122-132. https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/hsp/jurr/2015/00000008/00000002/art00003
Dobson, J. (2008). What Happens to the Best-laid Plans? Local Economy: The Journal of the Local Economy Policy Unit, 23 (4), 261-266. http://doi.org/10.1080/02690940802407963
Dobson, J. (n.d.). High Street Regeneration and Rebranding Pushing Portas further: Life beyond the butcher, baker and candlestick maker. Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal, 6 (2), 112. http://doi.org/10.69554/xpwo3515
Dobson, J., & Redman, J. (n.d.). Environmental wellbeing: a concept and principles for research, policy and action. Local Environment.
Book chapters
Dobson, J., & Ferrari, E. (2023). Bringing Civic Impact to Life. In Rethinking University-Community Policy Connections. (pp. 163-173). Springer International Publishing: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17686-9_9
Dobson, J., & Ferrari, E. (2023). Why the time is right for a civic turn. In Dobson, J., & Ferrari, E. (Eds.) Rethinking University-Community Policy Connections. (pp. 1-24). Springer International Publishing: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17686-9_1
Dobson, J., & Ferrari, E. (2023). Why the time is right for a civic turn. In Dobson, J., & Ferrari, E. (Eds.) Rethinking University-Community Policy Connections. (pp. 1-24). Springer International Publishing: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17686-9_1
Dobson, J. (2022). Public realm. In The Future of the City Centre. (pp. 134-149). Routledge: http://doi.org/10.4324/9781003141198-12
Dobson, J. (2021). Parks in a Pandemic: Attachments, Absences, and Exclusions. In Volume 3: Public Space and Mobility. (pp. 55-64). Bristol University Press: http://doi.org/10.51952/9781529219029.ch006
Dobson, J. (2016). From Crown to commons? In Sustainable Regeneration of Former Military Sites. (pp. 19-31). Routledge: http://doi.org/10.4324/9781315621784-2
Books
Dempsey, N., & Dobson, J. (Eds.). (2020). Naturally Challenged: Contested Perceptions and Practices in Urban Green Spaces. Springer Nature. https://www.springer.com/gb/book/9783030444792
Dempsey, N., & Dobson, J. (Eds.). (2020). Naturally Challenged: Contested Perceptions and Practices in Urban Green Spaces. Springer Nature. https://www.springer.com/gb/book/9783030444792
Dobson, J., & Atkinson, R. (Eds.). (2020). Urban Crisis, Urban Hope A Policy Agenda for UK Cities. Anthem Press. https://www.anthempress.com/urban-crisis-urban-hope-pb
Dobson, J., & Atkinson, R. (Eds.). (2020). Urban Crisis, Urban Hope A Policy Agenda for UK Cities. Anthem Press. https://www.anthempress.com/urban-crisis-urban-hope-pb
Dobson, J. (2015). How to Save Our Town Centres: A Radical Agenda for the Future of High Streets. Policy Press. https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/how-to-save-our-town-centres
Reports
Haywood, A., Dayson, C., Garside, R., Foster, A., Lovell, B., Husk, K., ... Wilson, I. (2024). National evaluation of the preventing and tackling mental ill health through green social prescribing project: Final report - March 2021 to June 2023. London: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/gsp-final-report-march-2021-to-june-2023
Haywood, A., Dayson, C., Garside, R., Foster, A., Lovell, B., Husk, K., ... Wilson, I. (2024). National Evaluation of the Preventing and Tackling Mental Ill Health through Green Social Prescribing Project: Policy Briefing - Final Report - March 2021 to June 2023. London: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/gsp-final-report-briefing-march-2021-to-june-2023
Haywood, A., Dayson, C., Garside, R., Foster, A., Lovell, B., Husk, K., ... Wilson, I. (2024). National evaluation of the preventing and tackling mental ill health through green social prescribing project: Final report Summary - March 2021 to June 2023. London: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/gsp-final-report-summary-march-2021-to-june-2023
Dobson, J. (2024). A theory of civic change: how universities can work for the good of their places. Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/a-theory-of-civic-change
Dobson, J. (2024). The civic university: FAQ. Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/civic-university-faq
Crisp, R., Dallas, E., Fowler-Davis, S., Davies, M., Dobson, J., Hamer, R., ... Szydlowska, A. (2023). Understanding the SEED Domains: A scoping review of social, economic, environmental and democratic wellbeing. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/understanding-the-seed-domains-a-scoping-review
Dobson, J., Gore, T., Graham, K., & Swade, K. (2023). Unlocking the potential of Big Local partnerships: The role and impact of Locally Trusted Organisations. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/unlocking-the-potential-of-big-local-partnerships
Dobson, J., Arbell, Y., Swade, K., & Graham, K. (2023). Community improvement districts pilot programme: final report. Power to Change. https://www.powertochange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/88-PTC-CID-report-V3.pdf
Haywood, A., Dayson, C., Garside, R., Foster, A., Lovell, B., Husk, K., ... Wilson, I. (2023). National Evaluation of the Preventing and Tackling Mental Ill Health through Green Social Prescribing Project: Briefing Document - Interim Report - September 2021 to September 2022. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/gsp-interim-report-briefing-sept-2021-to-sept-2022
Haywood, A., Dayson, C., Garside, R., Foster, A., Lovell, B., Husk, K., ... Wilson, I. (2023). National Evaluation of the Preventing and Tackling Mental Ill Health through Green Social Prescribing Project: Interim Report Summary - September 2021 to September 2022. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/gsp-interim-report-summary-sept-2021-to-sept-2022
Haywood, A., Dayson, C., Garside, R., Foster, A., Lovell, B., Husk, K., ... Wilson, I. (2023). National Evaluation of the Preventing and Tackling Mental Ill Health through Green Social Prescribing Project: Interim Report - September 2021 to September 2022. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/gsp-interim-report-sept-2021-to-sept-2022
Dobson, J., Eadson, W., Harris, C., & Munro, E. (2022). Future Parks Accelerator evaluation: final report. National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Dobson, J., Eadson, W., Harris, C., & Munro, E. (2022). Future Parks Accelerator evaluation: final report. National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Eadson, W., Dobson, J., Dempsey, N., Harris, C., & Munro, E. (2022). Future parks accelerator: key findings and recommendations. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/future-parks-accelerator-key-findings-and-recommendations
Dobson, J. (2022). Community businesses and high streets: ‘taking back’ and leading forward. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.powertochange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Community-businesses-and-high-streets-CRESR.pdf
Dobson, J., & Harris, C. (2022). Nourishing community businesses: beyond market development. Power to Change. https://icstudies.org.uk/sites/default/files/uploads/research/PTC_3859_Nourishing_Community_Businesses_FINAL.pdf
Dobson, J., Harris, C., & Macmillan, R. (2021). Network Support: Community business peer networking before and during coronavirus. Power to Change. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/network-support-community-business-peer-networking-before-and-during-coronavirus
Eadson, W., Harris, C., Parkes, S., Dobson, J., & Dempsey, N. (2021). Why should we invest in parks? Evidence from the Parks for People programme. Heritage Lottery Fund. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/why-should-we-invest-in-parks-evidence-from-the-parks-for-people-programme
Dobson, J., & Ferrari, E. (2021). Capturing and enhancing the impact of the civic university: current thinking, issues and challenges. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/capturing-and-enhancing-the-impact-of-the-civic-university-current-thinking-issues-and-challenges
Dobson, J. (2021). A framework for civic impact: a way to assess universities’ activities and progress. Civic University Network. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/a-framework-for-civic-impact-a-way-to-assess-universities-activities-and-progress
Gore, A., Bimpson, E., Dobson, J., & Parkes, S. (2021). Local Government Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic in the UK: A Thematic Review. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/local-government-responses-to-the-covid19-pandemic-in-the-uk-a-thematic-review
Wells, P., Macmillan, R., & Dobson, J. (2020). Food for thought: Understanding market development in the community business sector. Community Fund. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/food-for-thought-understanding-market-development-in-the-community-business-sector
Eadson, W., Dobson, J., Shepherd, J., Bridge, E., & Hall, J. (2019). Catalysing People-powered Energy in Yorkshire and the Humber. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/catalysing-people-powered-energy-in-yorkshire-and-the-humber
Eadson, W., Harris, C., Gore, A., & Dobson, J. (2019). Space to thrive: A rapid evidence review of the benefits of parks and green spaces for people and communities. National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery Community Fund. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/space-to-thrive-a-rapid-evidence-review-of-the-benefits-of-parks-and-green-spaces-for-people-and
Dobson, J. (2018). New seeds beneath the snow: Big Local neighbourhoods in action. Local Trust. https://longreads.localtrust.org.uk/2018/02/02/new-seeds/
Dobson, J., & Papworth, R. (2015). Between a rock and a hard place: The work of food banks in Hampshire. Bill Sargent Trust. https://bstrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/BST_Foodbanks_Full-report.pdf
Dobson, J. (2012). Grey places need green spaces: The case for investing in our nation's natural assets. Groundwork UK. https://issuu.com/groundworkuk/docs/grey_spaces_need_green_spaces_repor
Dobson, J. (2012). Forces for Good: Making the most of military land for public benefit. Bill Sargent Trust. https://urbanpollinators.co.uk/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/upload/Forces%20for%20goodJan2012.pdf
Theses / Dissertations
Dobson, J. (2017). Reading the future : constructing low-carbon imaginaries in urban institutions. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Wells, P., & Eadson, W. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00004
Internet Publications
Dobson, J. (2024). Reflections on 30 years of neighbourhood interventions. https://www.jrf.org.uk/neighbourhoods-and-communities/reflections-on-30-years-of-neighbourhood-interventions
Dobson, J. (2024). What kind of change agent is a civic university? https://civicuniversitynetwork.co.uk/what-kind-of-change-agent-is-a-civic-university/
Dobson, J. (2024). Environmental wellbeing and the case for urban green spaces. https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/125716/pdf/
(2023). Why geographers shouldn’t stop caring about the high street. http://doi.org/10.55203/pznp4719
Dobson, J., & Gonzalez, S. (2023). High-street regeneration has to start with community trust and care. https://theconversation.com/high-street-regeneration-has-to-start-with-community-trust-and-care-216034
Presentations
Dobson, J. (2023). From niche activities to leverage points: What can a pilot regeneration scheme tell us about the potential for net zero transitions on the high street? Presented at: Royal Geographical Society annual conference, London
Dobson, J., Eadson, W., & Dempsey, N. (2022). How do we frame a problem like a park? Presented at: Royal Geographical Society annual conference, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Other publications
Dobson, J., Udall, J., Archer, B., & Cerulli, C. (2024). A sustainable future for local high streets. UK Parliament: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/128930/pdf/
Orlek, J., Udall, J., & Dobson, J. (2022). High Streets Network. Sheffield Hallam University: https://highstreets.network/
(2022). High street exchange(s) : essays, ideas and artworks on the future of the high street. Sheffield Hallam University