Dr Will Eadson BA (Hons), MA, PhD

Will's central research interests lay around urban and regional sustainability and energy transitions, with particular interest in the position of local economies that might be vulnerable or exposed to changes in policy or the economic value of carbon emissions.

Currently Will’s academic work in this field centres on two themes: understanding economic geographies of low carbon transition (in particular jobs and skills implications); and exploring different ideas about urban democracy within the context of sustainability transitions.

Funded research on the economic geographies of low carbon transition includes work with a number of City Regions to understand economic potential of low carbon transitions, including current projects with Sheffield City Region to understand the supply chain and employment implications of investment in low carbon energy initiatives (in particular low carbon heat), and to develop a Just Transition framework within a city-regional context.

Research on urban and regional governance and democracy has been a longstanding theme of work, stretching back to Will’s PhD on regional governance and carbon reduction through to more recent work exploring ideas about sustainability, infrastructure and democracy, for instance through research into community energy and into the role of social enterprises in delivering critical urban services such as utilities, transport, housing, green space, finance and care.

Over the last five years Will has also led a programme of work around the future of urban green space, including two on-going research projects for the National Lottery Heritage Fund, focusing on exploring new funding, governance and management arrangement to ensure their long-term sustainability.

Will is Director of the White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership Cities, Environment and Liveability pathway. He is also the environment and society editor of Geography Compass, associate editor of Regional Studies, Regional Science journal, and chair of the Regional Studies Association Yorkshire and Humber branch.

Research interests

Will’s current research interests include

• Socially and spatially just sustainability transitions
• Economic geographies of sustainability transitions
• Democracy, governance and sustainability transitions

PhD supervision

Will would welcome discussion on supervising students around any of the following areas

• economic geographies of low carbon transitions
• socially and spatially just low carbon transitions
• democracy and sustainability transitions
• politics of urban green space provision
• engaging small firms in the transition to a low carbon economy

• Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research

2020-21 What does a just transition mean for City Regions? Sheffield City Region. Role: Principal Investigator.

2020-21 Understanding the supply chain and employment impacts of energy investments, HEIF / Sheffield City Region.Role: Principal Investigator.

2019-20 Understanding the role and impact of community businesses in delivering foundational infrastructure, Power to Change Research Institute. Role: Principal Investigator.

2019-20 Research into the impact of funded interventions in urban parks, National Lottery Heritage Fund.Role: Principal Investigator.

2019-21 Research into the Future Management and Governance of Urban Parks, National Lottery Heritage Fund. Role: Principal Investigator.

2019-21 Walking with Energy, Swedish Energy Agency. Role: Co-Investigator.

Key Publications

Van Veelen, B., & Eadson, W. (2019). Assembling community energy democracies. Voluntary Sector Review. http://doi.org/10.1332/204080519X15740562779512

Van Veelen, B., Pinker, A., Tingey, M., Taylor Aiken, G., & Eadson, W. (2019). What can energy research bring to social science? Reflections on 5 years of Energy Research & Social Science and beyond. Energy research and social science, 57. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2019.101240

While, A., & Eadson, W. (2019). Households in place: socio-spatial (dis)advantage in energy-carbon restructuring. European Planning Studies, 1626-1645. http://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2019.1595533

Eadson, W., & Foden, M. (2019). State, community and the negotiated construction of energy markets: Community energy policy in England. Geoforum, 100, 21-31. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2019.02.006

Creamer, E., Eadson, W., van Veelen, B., Pinker, A., Tingey, M., Braunholtz-Speight, T., ... Lacey-Barnacle, M. (2018). Community energy: entanglements of community, state and private sector. Geography compass, 12 (7), e12378. http://doi.org/10.1111/gec3.12378

Eadson, W. (2016). State enrolment and energy-carbon transitions: syndromic experimentation and atomisation in England. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 34 (8), 1612-1631. http://doi.org/10.1177/0263774X16629445

Journal articles

Eadson, W., & Foden, M. (2020). Re-reading civil society action for environmental sustainability. Voluntary Sector Review, 11 (2), 169-173. http://doi.org/10.1332/204080520X15958548994859

Lindsay, C., Pearson, S., Batty, E., Cullen, A.M., & Eadson, W. (2019). Street-level practice, personalisation and co-production in employability: Insights from local services with lone parents. Social policy and society, 1-12. http://doi.org/10.1017/s1474746419000174

Bennett, E., Eadson, W., & Dickinson, J. (2018). PPP Special Issue Editorial: Part I. People, Place and Policy Online, 12 (2), 56-57. http://doi.org/10.3351/ppp.2018.5463926534

Lindsay, C., Pearson, S., Batty, E., Cullen, A.M., & Eadson, W. (2018). Co-production and social innovation in street-level employability services: lessons from services with lone parents in Scotland. International Social Security Review, 71 (4), 33-50. http://doi.org/10.1111/issr.12188

Lindsay, C., Pearson, S., Batty, E., Cullen, A.-.M., & Eadson, W. (2018). Street-level practice and the co-production of third sector-led employability services. Policy & Politics, 46 (4), 571-587. http://doi.org/10.1332/030557317X15120417452025

Holstead, K., Taylor Aiken, G., Eadson, W., & Braunholtz-Speight, T. (2018). Putting community to use in environmental policy making: emerging trends in Scotland and the UK. Geography Compass, 12 (9), e12381. http://doi.org/10.1111/gec3.12381

Lindsay, C., Pearson, S., Batty, E., Cullen, A.M., & Eadson, W. (2018). Co-production as a route to employability: Lessons from services with lone parents. Public Administration, 96 (2), 318-332. http://doi.org/10.1111/padm.12408

Ambrose, A., Eadson, W., & Pinder, J. (2016). The role of actor-networks in the early stage mobilisation of low carbon heat networks. Energy Policy, 96, 144-152. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2016.05.042

Ambrose, A., Eadson, W., & Gilbertson, J. (2016). Editorial: PPP special issue – International Perspectives on Fuel Poverty. People, Place and Policy, 10 (1), 1-4. http://doi.org/10.3351/ppp.0010.0001.0001

Crisp, R., Eadson, W., Cole, I., Dayson, C., Escott, K., Fothergill, S., ... Robinson, D. (2015). Election commentaries. People, Place and Policy, 9 (1), 65-89. http://doi.org/10.3351/ppp.0009.0001.0005

Bashir, N., Dayson, C., Eadson, W., & Wells, P. (2013). A warm glow in all parts? : building local cause-affinity as a strategy for promoting charitable giving. People, place and policy online, 7 (3), 139-152. http://doi.org/10.3351/ppp.0007.0003.0003

Eadson, W. (2011). Water and the City: Risk, Resilience and Planning for a Sustainable Future. HOUSING STUDIES, 26 (4), 635-637. http://doi.org/10.1080/02673037.2011.568219

Book chapters

Eadson, W., & While, A. (2021). Carbon Calculation and the Urban Green Economic Opportunity. In Emerging Governance of a Green Economy Cases of European Implementation. Cambridge University Press

Eadson, W. (2013). The evolution of carbon capitalism in the English regions: sustainable mitigation, carbon modernization, and selective carbon economies. In Barnes, P.A., & Hoerver, T.C. (Eds.) Sustainable development and governance in Europe: the evolution of the discourse on sustainability. (pp. 190-204). Routledge

Eadson, W. (2011). Constructions of the carbon city. In The Future of Sustainable Cities: Critical Reflections. (pp. 65-86).

Reports

Eadson, W., & Bull, R. (2020). Citizen engagement in local energy decision-making: literature and policy background. Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2020.8937358309

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://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/catalysing-people-powered-energy-y&h.pdf

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://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/space-to-thrive-2019-evidence-review.pdf

Bennett, E., & Eadson, W. (2017). Private, voluntary and public sector partnership for outdoor space provision: policy lessons from the Bags of Help grant programme evaluation. Sheffield: Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. http://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/tesco-bags-of-help-grant-programme.pdf

Batty, E., Dayson, C., Eadson, W., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., Lindsay, C., & Cullen, A.M. (2017). Making it Work: learning and evaluation contract: Final report. Sheffield: Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. http://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/miw-evaluation-final-report.pdf

Eadson, W., & Leather, D. (2017). Fuel Poverty Health Booster Fund evaluation. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. http://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/fuel-poverty-health-booster-fund-eval.pdf

Eadson, W., Gore, T., & Povey, L. (2017). Evaluation of Royal College of GPs: Fuel Poverty Pilot. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. http://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/eval-royal-college-gps-fuel-poverty-pilot.pdf

Crisp, R., Cole, I., Eadson, W., Ferrari, E., Powell, R., & While, A. (2017). Tackling poverty through housing and planning policy in city regions. Joseph Rowntree Foundation. http://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/jrf-tackling-poverty-housing-planning-city-regions.pdf

While, A., Gore, T., Eadson, W., & Crisp, R. (2016). Major development projects: connecting people in poverty to jobs. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation. http://www.jrf.org.uk/

Bashir, N., Eadson, W., & Pattison, B. (2016). Warm Homes Oldham evaluation : final report. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. http://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/warm-homes-oldham-evaluation-final-report.pdf

Bennett, E., Dayson, C., Eadson, W., Gilbertson, J., & Tod, A. (2016). Warm safe and well: the evaluation of the Warm at Home Programme. Sheffield: Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. http://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/warm-safe-well-eval-warm-home-programme.pdf

Eadson, W., Bennett, E., Dayson, C., Gilbertson, J., & Tod, A. (2016). Warm, safe and well: The Evaluation of the Warm at Home Programme - Summary report. http://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/warm-safe-well-eval-warm-home-programme-summary_1.pdf

Crisp, R., Eadson, W., & While, A. (2016). Tackling poverty through housing and planning policy in city regions. http://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/tackling-poverty-housing-planning-city-regions.pdf

Ambrose, A., Batty, E., Eadson, W., Hickman, P., & Quinn, G. (2016). Assessment of the need for furniture provision for new NIHE tenants. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. http://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/assessment-need-furniture-provision-nihe-tenants.pdf

Ambrose, A., Eadson, W., Hickman, P., & Mccarthy, L. (2015). Tenancy sustainment amongst those aged under 35 : final report. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. http://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/tenancy-sustainment-aged-under35.pdf

Ambrose, A., Eadson, W., Hickman, P., & Mccarthy, L. (2015). Tenancy sustainment amongst those aged under 35: executive summary. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/tenancy-sustainment-aged-under35-summary.pdf

Eadson, W., Green, S., Reeve, K., Robinson, D., & Wilson, I. (2015). Houses into Homes: Final Evaluation Report. Welsh Government Social Research. https://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/houses-homes-final-eval-report.pdf

Ambrose, A., Eadson, W., Pinder, J., Gilbertson, J., & O'Flaherty, F. (2015). Low Carbon Pioneer Cities Heat Networks Project: a process evaluation. Department of Energy and Climate Change. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/457057/Pioneer_Cities_Evaluation_27_08.pdf

Pearson, S., Batty, E., Dayson, C., Eadson, W., Sanderson, E., Lindsay, C., & Cullen, A.M. (2015). Making it Work: Learning and Evaluation Contract - Year Two Programme Report. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/miw-evaluation-yr2-programme-report.pdf

Bashir, N., Bennett, E., Dayson, C., Eadson, W., & Sanderson, E. (2015). Evaluation of Heritage Lottery Fund’s First World War Centenary Activity: Year 1 report. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/fww-evaluation-year1-report.pdf

Bashir, N., Bennett, E., Dayson, C., Eadson, W., & Sanderson, E. (2015). Evaluation of Heritage Lottery Fund’s First World War Centenary Activity: Year 1 report - Executive Summary. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/fww-evaluation-year1-exec.pdf

Eadson, W., Foden, M., & Beatty, C. (2015). Food Bank Provision for families in North Nottinghamshire. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/food-bank-provision-families-north-notts.pdf

Ambrose, A., Eadson, W., & Pinder, J. (2015). Evaluation of the Big Energy Savings Network: Final report. London: Department of Energy and Climate Change. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/405800/BESN_final_reporl.pdf

Eadson, W., Green, S., Reeve, K., Robinson, D., & Wilson, I. (2014). Houses into Homes - Third Interim Evaluation Report. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/houses-homes-3rd-interim-eval-report.pdf

Eadson, W., Dalgleish, K., Foden, M., & Gore, A. (2014). Low Carbon Leicester and Leicestershire research study. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/low-carbon-leicester.pdf

Gore, T., Eadson, W., Ozdemiroglu, E., Gianferrara, E., & Phang, Z. (2013). Green Infrastructure’s contribution to economic growth: a review. London: eftec.

Eadson, W., Green, S., Reeve, K., Robinson, D., & Wilson, I. (2013). Houses into Homes Second Interim Evaluation Report. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/houses-homes-2nd-interim-eval-report.pdf

Dayson, C., Eadson, W., Sanderson, E., & Wilson, I. (2013). Wigan State of the Voluntary Sector 2013. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/eval-voluntary-sector-2013-wigan.pdf

Dayson, C., Eadson, W., Sanderson, E., & Wilson, I. (2013). Trafford State of the Voluntary Sector 2013. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/eval-voluntary-sector-2013-trafford.pdf

Dayson, C., Eadson, W., Sanderson, E., & Wilson, I. (2013). Tameside State of the Voluntary Sector 2013. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/eval-voluntary-sector-2013-tameside.pdf

Dayson, C., Eadson, W., Sanderson, E., & Wilson, I. (2013). Greater Manchester State of the Voluntary Sector 2013. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/eval-voluntary-sector-2013-greater-manchester.pdf

Dayson, C., Eadson, W., Sanderson, E., & Wilson, I. (2013). City of Manchester State of the Voluntary Sector 2013. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/eval-voluntary-sector-2013-city-manchester.pdf

Dayson, C., Eadson, W., Sanderson, E., & Wilson, I. (2013). Salford State of the Voluntary Sector 2013. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/eval-voluntary-sector-2013-salford.pdf

Dayson, C., Eadson, W., Sanderson, E., & Wilson, I. (2013). Borough of Oldham State of the Voluntary Sector 2013. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/eval-voluntary-sector-2013-oldham.pdf

Dayson, C., Eadson, W., Sanderson, E., & Wilson, I. (2013). Bolton State of the Sector Voluntary Sector 2013: A report on social and economic impact. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/eval-voluntary-sector-2013-bolton.pdf

Eadson, W., Green, S., Reeve, K., Robinson, D., & Wilson, I. (2013). Houses into Homes First Interim Evaluation Report. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/houses-homes-interim-eval-report.pdf

Eadson, W., Robinson, D., Reeve, K., Platts-Fowler, D., Green, S., Walshaw, A., ... Pearce, S. (2013). An Evaluation of Getting on Together: The Community Cohesion Strategy for Wales. Welsh Government. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/eval-getting-on-together-wales.pdf

Eadson, W., Gilbertson, J., & Walshaw, A. (2013). Attitudes and Perceptions of the Green Deal amongst private sector landlords in Rotherham. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/green-deal-landlords-rotherham.pdf

Eadson, W., Gilbertson, J., & Walshaw, A. (2013). Attitudes and Perceptions of the Green Deal amongst private sector landlords in Rotherham: Summary. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/green-deal-landlords-rotherham-summary.pdf

Pearson, S., Wells, P., Dayson, C., Eadson, W., Gilbertson, J., & Walshaw, A. (2011). Sustaining the benefits of capital funding. Big Lottery Fund.

Pearson, S., Dayson, C., Eadson, W., & Gilbertson, J. (2011). Making a Difference: Research on the Voluntary and Community Sector in Derbyshire. Derbyshire Rural Community Council.

Eadson, W., Platts Fowler, D., Robinson, D., & Walshaw, A. (2011). Community mapping and tension monitoring. Welsh Government. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/community-mapping-tension-monitoring.pdf

Bashir, N., Dayson, C., Eadson, W., & Wells, P. (2011). Local Business Giving: between the raffle prize and a new source of funding. Sheffield Hallam University. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/local-business-giving.pdf

Dayson, C., Wells, P., Eadson, W., Gilbertson, J., Pearson, S., Walshaw, A., ... Trinnaman, J. (2011). Sustaining the benefits of capital funding: Final report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/blf-sustaining-benefits-capital-funding.pdf

Gore, T., Dayson, C., Eadson, W., Gilbertson, J., Lawless, P., Phang, Z., ... Wilson, I. (2010). Assessing the Value and Benefits of Groundwork. Sheffield Hallam University. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/assessing-value-benefits-groundwork.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

Dr Will Eadson is a researcher in the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. His main research interests focus on government policy and the role of local and city-regional organisations in leading the transition to a low carbon economy.