This page contains links to a selection of my professional studies and publications. You are welcome to browse and download, but please respect copyright.
You can also find my academic work via Orcid or Researchgate and details of my books are on this page.
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. (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. (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). 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). 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. (2022). Public realm. In The Future of the City Centre. (pp. 134-149). Routledge: http://doi.org/10.4324/9781003141198-12
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
Research, reports and white papers
Community improvement districts pilot programme: final report. Power to Change, 2023. https://www.powertochange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/88-PTC-CID-report-V3.pdf This report by a team at Sheffield Hallam University and Shared Asset shares learning from the first pilot scheme to explore the potential of ‘community improvement districts’ in England.
Future Parks Accelerator evaluation: final report. National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Trust, 2022. An evaluation report of a national programme to rethink investment in public parks and green spaces, focusing on eight locations in the UK.
Community businesses and high streets: ‘taking back’ and leading forward. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University (2022). https://www.powertochange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Community-businesses-and-high-streets-CRESR.pdf Explores the contribution community businesses can make to high street regeneration.
Why should we invest in parks? Evidence from the Parks for People programme. Heritage Lottery Fund (2021). https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/why-should-we-invest-in-parks-evidence-from-the-parks-for-people-programme
Capturing and enhancing the impact of the civic university: current thinking, issues and challenges. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (2021). Explores the background to current interest in the ‘civic university’ and the challenges of measuring impact. 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
A framework for civic impact: a way to assess universities’ activities and progress. Civic University Network (2021). https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/a-framework-for-civic-impact-a-way-to-assess-universities-activities-and-progress
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 (2019). Considers current evidence on the benefits of public parks and green spaces and draws out key themes. 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
New seeds beneath the snow? This report for Local Trust examined three neighbourhoods involved in the £150m Big Local regeneration programme, examining the prospects for community self-help in a climate of austerity and the withdrawal of public services.
Between a rock and a hard place. This study for the Bill Sargent Trust examined the work of food banks in Hampshire, examining why people use food banks in the county and how these rapidly developing forms of voluntary help are responding.
The impact of the Hampshire Local Welfare Assistance scheme 2013-14. This study for the Bill Sargent Trust examined the first year of the localisation of crisis support for people in need in one county.
Responsible Recovery. Report for the think tank ResPublica, examining the failure of traditional approaches to local regeneration and arguing for relational approaches to welfare reform and neighbourhood renewal in order to build thriving communities.
Grey places need green spaces. A major report for Groundwork UK, explaining the crisis facing our urban green spaces and options for their future care, drawing on the principles of the historic commons.
A lasting legacy: Mab Lane Community Woodland. Assessment of the impact of investment in the community woodland at Mab Lane, Liverpool, for The Mersey Forest, June 2013.
Forces for Good. A policy white paper for the Bill Sargent Trust, taking forward ideas from our previous research (see below).
Understanding high street performance. Analysis by Genecon LLP for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. Urban Pollinators was part of the team that produced this research as part of the Portas review (see below).
Townstock 2012 – 80 ideas from 50 towns. Summary of highlights from the Townstock conference in Halifax, November 2012.
Forces for Good. Article on repurposing Ministry of Defence assets with Samer Bagaeen for Town and Country Planning magazine, April 2012.
In the public interest? Achieving community benefits from Ministry of Defence land disposals. Original research for the Bill Sargent Trust. Summary also available here.
A future for community forests – A contribution to the debate about the future of England’s woodlands, written for The Mersey Forest and published in January 2011
Seeing the wood for the trees – Why the review of forestry in England is an opportunity to create woodlands that are good for community, commerce and climate. Written for The Mersey Forest, published June 2011.
Communities and Local Government Select Committee inquiry into regeneration – written evidence submitted to House of Commons select committee, spring 2011, critiquing current government policy and suggesting alternative approaches.
The 21st century agora: a new and better vision for town centres – We coordinated this collaborative submission to the Mary Portas review of the high street, commissioned by prime minister David Cameron in May 2011.
Incredible Edible Todmorden – pamphlet explaining the impact of a local movement linking community, education and business to address climate change and sustainable food. Text prepared as part of our pro bono work.
Growing natural tourism – How environmental tourism can promote local economies and help places adapt to climate change. Research summary for Natural Economy Northwest.
Knowledge transfer – Sharing learning in public organisations: summary of a study by Lyndsay Rashman and Jean Hartley, Warwick Business School – edited and designed by us for Renew Northwest
Creative cities – the role of creative industries in regeneration. Research summary for Renew Northwest. The messages are still remarkably relevant.
The economic value of good design – Research summary for Places Matter! in 2009, showing how well designed buildings do better in a recession.
A chance to think differently – a response to the RICS Land and Society Commission, March 2011.
Regeneration Manifesto – principles for the future of regeneration, developed with New Start magazine and leading thinkers and practitioners.
We can, you can – Lessons from the Renew Northwest exemplar learning programme, 2007 – showing approaches needed to deliver successful regeneration projects
Community assets – a series of summaries of events organised by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation to examine the potential for community asset transfer and asset-based development.
1 What can history teach us about community asset ownership?
2 The impact and potential of ‘community right to buy’
3 Scottish community energy and growing projects offer food for thought
4 Community infrastructure– the importance of putting people first in new housing developments
5 Social finance – opportunities and risks
6 Community asset ownership – Progress, diversity and risks?
7 Community asset ownership – Emerging learning, challenges and questions. A roundup of key themes from the event series.
Great Learning – themes and lessons from masterclasses for staff working in the Leeds-Bradford Corridor, 2008.
Pursuits of Youth – how young people’s energy and involvement can help regenerate communities (Renew Northwest practice paper, 2007).
Ladders to Regeneration – how New East Manchester’s regeneration apprenticeships provided opportunities for local people.
Commentary
Boosterism and belonging: ‘pride in place’ and the levelling-up agenda People, Place and Policy Online, 16 (2), 170-176 (2022) http://doi.org/10.3351/ppp.2022.2679785798
The metropolitan revolution (book review) – People, Place and Policy, November 2016
Ideas for change: A local endowment fund – New Start, May 2013
Television won’t save the high street – but it really doesn’t matter. – Huffington Post, May 2013
John Graves’ Sheffield legacy is a great example of civic responsibility – The Guardian, April 2013
How to… create resilient communities – New Start, April 2013
Tackling poverty requires people-centred action – New Start, March 2013
HMV’s travails show the need for citizens to reclaim town and city space – The Guardian, January 2013
Civic sector 2013: The collaborative local economy – New Start, December 2012
From ‘me’ towns to ‘we’ towns – Huffington Post, November 2012
Let’s build a national grid of community infrastructure – Article for New Start, April 2011
The big society needs a watchdog – but it also needs a guide dog. Article for OPM, April 2011.
Five important tests for the big society’s second year – Article for The Guardian’s voluntary sector network, April 2011.
The north can’t wait until Westminster wakes up. Article for New Start, March 2011.
‘Delivering’ the big society – Article for Res Publica, February 2011.
The big society is a chapter in a bigger story – Article for The Guardian’s voluntary sector network, February 2011.
A year of hard choices – and intelligent debate. Article for New Start, February 2011.
Big Society or Big Chaos? – Article for Outlook, the magazine of Children England, looking at the big society and its likely impact.
What happens to the best-laid plans? – A look at Sheffield’s economic masterplan for the journal Local Economy, November 2008.
Journalism
Saving our city centres, one local market at a time. Feature for The Guardian’s Cities section, with an extract from How to Save Our Town Centres.
The high street – from shopping centre to social centre – Article for Placemaking 2012 magazine, published by RUDI.
Anyone for a bit of urban acupuncture? – Article for Green Places magazine, Winter 2011.
Generating community – A chapter from Tessy Britton’s book, Hand Made, exploring new forms of community activity.
Reasons to be Cheerful – a celebration of regeneration projects across the UK, produced in 2008 with colleagues from New Start magazine.
Urban Renaissance, 10 years on – An assessment of the UK’s urban renaissance strategy, including an interview with Professor Anne Power, for Makingreat, Integreat Yorkshire’s magazine, summer 2009
Homegrown success stories – An example of how community organising can work in practice from Longbenton, North Tyneside. From New Start magazine, October 2007.
Julian Dobson 