Dr Julian Dobson PhD
Senior Ï㽶ÊÓƵ 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.
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ 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 Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Network at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ 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.
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
- Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
Current research projects
Please contact me for further details about these research projects and for summaries of the findings.
2023-2024 High Streets Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Network, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. Role: Project Director.
2022-2026 National Civic Impact Accelerator, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ 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., & Owolade, F. (2025). . Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management.
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). Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 30 (4), 1163-1164.
Dobson, J. (2024). . People, Place and Policy Online, 18 (2), 66-68.
Dobson, J., Udall, J., Baker, C., & Jackson, A.C. (2024). . New Formations, 110 (110), 42-59.
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.
Dobson, J. (2023). . People, Place and Policy Online.
Dobson, J. (2022). . People, Place and Policy Online, 16 (2), 170-176.
Dobson, J., Gore, T., Graham, K., & Swade, K. (2021). . Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, 3.
Dobson, J. (2021). . Geography compass.
Dempsey, N., & Dobson, J. (2021). Planning for sociable green spaces after COVID-19. Town Planning Review, 92 (2), 171-179.
Dobson, J., & Dempsey, N. (2021). . Landscape Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, 1-13.
Dobson, J., Birch, J., Brindley, P., Henneberry, J., McEwan, K., Mears, M., ... Jorgensen, A. (2021). . Cities, 108, 102989.
Richardson, M., Dobson, J., Abson, D.J., Lumber, R., Hunt, A., Young, R., & Moorhouse, B. (2020). . Ecosystems and People, 16 (1), 387-401.
Dobson, J., & Dempsey, N. (2020). . .
Dobson, J., & Dempsey, N. (2020). .
Dempsey, N., & Dobson, J. (2020). . .
Dobson, J. (2020). . Voluntary Sector Review, 11 (2), 187-204.
Dempsey, N., & Dobson, J. (2020). Preface. Cities and Nature, Part F334, ix.
Dobson, J., & Dempsey, N. (2019). . Sustainability, 11 (18), 5029.
DOBSON, J. (2019). Book Review. Town Planning Review, 90 (3), 327-328.
Dobson, J. (2018). The Battle for the High Street: Retail Gentrification, Class and Disgust. TOWN PLANNING REVIEW, 89 (2), 204-205.
Dobson, J. (2018). . People, Place and Policy Online, 12 (2), 72-83.
Dobson, J. (2018). . Environmental Science & Policy, 92, 133-140.
Dobson, J. (2017). . Town Planning Review, 88 (3), 381-382.
Dobson, J. (2017). . Citizenship Studies, 21 (8), 1015-1033.
Dobson, J. (2016). . People Place and Policy Online, 10 (3), 257-259.
Dobson, J. (2016). . Local Economy, 31 (3), 335-343.
Dobson, J. (2015). . Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal, 8 (4), 347-355.
Dobson, J. (2015). . Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal, 8 (2), 122-132.
Dobson, J. (2008). What Happens to the Best-laid Plans? Local Economy: The Journal of the Local Economy Policy Unit, 23 (4), 261-266.
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.
Dobson, J., & Redman, J. (n.d.). . Local Environment.
(n.d.). Correction. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 1.
Book chapters
Dobson, J., & Ferrari, E. (2023). Bringing Civic Impact to Life. In Rethinking University-Community Policy Connections. (pp. 163-173). Springer International Publishing:
Udall, J., & Wakeford Holder, A. (2023). . In Dobson, J., & Ferrari, E. (Eds.) Reframing the Civic University. An agenda for impact. (pp. 143-162). Cham: Palgrave Macmillan:
Udall, J., & Wakeford Holder, A. (2023). . In Dobson, J., & Ferrari, E. (Eds.) Reframing the Civic University. An agenda for impact. (pp. 143-162). Cham: Palgrave Macmillan:
Dobson, J., & Ferrari, E. (2023). . In Dobson, J., & Ferrari, E. (Eds.) Rethinking University-Community Policy Connections. (pp. 1-24). Springer International Publishing:
Dobson, J., & Ferrari, E. (2023). . In Dobson, J., & Ferrari, E. (Eds.) Rethinking University-Community Policy Connections. (pp. 1-24). Springer International Publishing:
Dobson, J. (2022). . In The Future of the City Centre. (pp. 134-149). Routledge:
Dobson, J. (2016). From Crown to commons? In Sustainable Regeneration of Former Military Sites. (pp. 19-31). Routledge:
Books
Dobson, J., & Ferrari, E. (Eds.). (2023). . Palgrave Macmillan.
Dobson, J., & Ferrari, E. (Eds.). (2023). . Palgrave Macmillan.
Dempsey, N., & Dobson, J. (Eds.). (2020). . Springer Nature.
Dempsey, N., & Dobson, J. (Eds.). (2020). . Springer Nature.
Dobson, J., & Atkinson, R. (Eds.). (2020). . Anthem Press.
Dobson, J., & Atkinson, R. (Eds.). (2020). . Anthem Press.
Dobson, J. (2015). . Policy Press.
Reports
Haywood, A., Dayson, C., Garside, R., Foster, A., Lovell, B., Husk, K., ... Wilson, I. (2024). . London: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. /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). . London: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/gsp-final-report-appendices-march-2021-to-june-2023
Haywood, A., Dayson, C., Garside, R., Foster, A., Lovell, B., Husk, K., ... Wilson, I. (2024). . London: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. /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). . London: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/gsp-final-report-summary-march-2021-to-june-2023
Dobson, J. (2024). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/a-theory-of-civic-change
Dobson, J. (2024). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /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). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/understanding-the-seed-domains-a-scoping-review
Dobson, J., Gore, T., Graham, K., & Swade, K. (2023). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/unlocking-the-potential-of-big-local-partnerships
Dobson, J., Arbell, Y., Swade, K., & Graham, K. (2023). . Power to Change.
Haywood, A., Dayson, C., Garside, R., Foster, A., Lovell, B., Husk, K., ... Wilson, I. (2023). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/gsp-interim-report-appendices-sept-2021-to-sept-2022
Haywood, A., Dayson, C., Garside, R., Foster, A., Lovell, B., Husk, K., ... Wilson, I. (2023). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /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). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /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). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/gsp-interim-report-sept-2021-to-sept-2022
Dobson, J., Eadson, W., Harris, C., & Munro, E. (2022). . National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Dobson, J., Eadson, W., Harris, C., & Munro, E. (2022). . National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Eadson, W., Dobson, J., Dempsey, N., Harris, C., & Munro, E. (2022). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/future-parks-accelerator-key-findings-and-recommendations
Dobson, J. (2022). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Dobson, J., & Harris, C. (2022). . Power to Change.
Dobson, J., Harris, C., & Macmillan, R. (2021). . Power to Change. /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). . Heritage Lottery Fund. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/why-should-we-invest-in-parks-evidence-from-the-parks-for-people-programme
Dobson, J., & Ferrari, E. (2021). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/capturing-and-enhancing-the-impact-of-the-civic-university-current-thinking-issues-and-challenges
Dobson, J. (2021). . Civic University Network. /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). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /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). . Community Fund. /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). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/catalysing-people-powered-energy-in-yorkshire-and-the-humber
Eadson, W., Harris, C., Gore, A., & Dobson, J. (2019). . National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery Community Fund. /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). . Local Trust.
Dobson, J., & Papworth, R. (2015). . Bill Sargent Trust.
Dobson, J. (2012). . Groundwork UK.
Dobson, J. (2012). Forces for Good: Making the most of military land for public benefit. Bill Sargent Trust.
Dobson, J. (2012). . Bill Sargent Trust.
Theses / Dissertations
Dobson, J. (2017). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Wells, P., & Eadson, W.
Internet Publications
Dobson, J. (2024). Reflections on 30 years of neighbourhood interventions.
Dobson, J. (2024).
Dobson, J. (2024). Environmental wellbeing and the case for urban green spaces.
(2023). Why geographers shouldn’t stop caring about the high street.
Dobson, J., & Gonzalez, S. (2023). High-street regeneration has to start with community trust and care.
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). . UK Parliament:
Orlek, J., Udall, J., & Dobson, J. (2022). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ:
(2022). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ