Will is Professor of Urban and Regional Studies in CRESR. His research centres on two programmes of work: governance of urban and regional sustainability transitions; and economic geographies of zero carbon transitions. Will has published widely on these topics and has led research projects for research funding bodies, national governments, charities, city-regions and local authorities.

 

He is particularly interested in the differential spatial impacts of zero carbon transitions, for instance in a series of research projects understanding local economic development and employment implications of energy transition, and potential policy responses.

 

External to CRESR Will is Director of the Cities, Environment and Liveability Pathway in the ESRC White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership (WRDTP); chair of the Regional Studies Association Yorkshire and Humber branch; and editor of Geography Compass journal.

 

Will is CRESR’s Academic Development Coordinator. He is also a member of the SHU Net Zero Steering Group.

 

Research interests

Will’s current research interests include

• Economic geographies of zero carbon transitions
• Employment and skills implications of zero carbon transition
• Place-based just transition
• Governance and democracy in sustainability transitions
• Engaging and supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in zero carbon transitions