Beth Perry

Beth is a Professorial Fellow at the Urban Institute at the University of Sheffield. Her research focusses on processes and practices of urban transformation, coproductive urban governance, citizen participation and the just city. She is the UK Director of Realising Just Cities, a 4-year international programme of research and action in the Mistra Urban Futures centre, with partners in the Global North and South. Currently, she is also working on two nationally funded ESRC projects Jam and Justice: Coproducing Urban Governance for Social Innovation and Whose Knowledge Matters.

Beth oversees a collaborative programme of work between academics, individuals and organisations supporting progressive social, spatial and environmental change in the North of England. Across Greater Manchester and Sheffield there are over 20 action research projects on topics from spatial planning, environmental justice and food to cultural heritage and community empowerment. Beth has lived or worked in Greater Manchester for over 20 years. She is committed to critical but hopeful social science that seeks to contribute to progressive urban transformation. She has also just published two co-authored books - Cities and the Knowledge Economy: Promise, Politics and Possibilities and Reflexivity: the Essential Guide.