Dr Julian Dobson PhD
Senior Research Fellow
Summary
Julian is a Senior Research Fellow in CRESR
About
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 role of the voluntary and community sector. He is especially interested in how and why change happens and the role of evidence in shaping policy and practice.
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 of How to Save Our Town Centres (Policy Press, 2015) 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. I have recently been involved in projects around 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. I have also supported Sheffield City Council in its bid for funding from the government’s Future High Street Fund.
Institutional and societal change: I am interested in how and why change happens, or fails to happen. My PhD focused on the role of three urban 'anchor institutions' in advancing transitions to a low-carbon society. More widely, I have been interested in the impact of community-based initiatives and the prefigurative politics of small-scale projects.
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.
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
Journal articles
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
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
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
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
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
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. (2013). High Street Regeneration: Rebranding Pushing portas further: Life beyond the butcher, baker and candlestick maker. Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal, 6 (2), 112-121.
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
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
Udall, J., & Wakeford Holder, A. (2023). Placemaking and the civic university: interface sites as spaces of tension and translation. In Dobson, J., & Ferrari, E. (Eds.) Reframing the Civic University. An agenda for impact. (pp. 143-162). Cham: Palgrave Macmillan: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17686-9_8
Udall, J., & Wakeford Holder, A. (2023). Placemaking and the civic university: interface sites as spaces of tension and translation. In Dobson, J., & Ferrari, E. (Eds.) Reframing the Civic University. An agenda for impact. (pp. 143-162). Cham: Palgrave Macmillan: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17686-9_8
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
Books
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
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
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://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/why-should-we-invest-in-parks.pdf
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://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/capturing-and-enhancing-the-impact-of-the-civic-university.pdf
Dobson, J. (2021). A framework for civic impact: a way to assess universities’ activities and progress. Civic University Network. https://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/civic-activity-framework.pdf
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://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/local-government-responses-to-COVID.pdf
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. http://bstrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/BST-Forces-for-Good-V4-MC1.pdf
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
Other publications
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