Having graduated from the University of Plymouth with a degree in Geography, I have worked as a professional planner for the last twenty years in both academia and planning practice. Before joining Plymouth, my experience in academia was with the University of the West of England in Bristol where, over a period of 15 years, I designed, led, and contributed to a range of modules and programmes associated with planning and urban geography. For six years I was also an Associate Head of Department with responsibility for geography, planning and environmental management. My time in planning practice has been split between working at Land Use Consultants  (LUC) and tor&co. Collectively I have gained experience in development and strategic planning, policy and plan appraisal, and design and master planning. During my most recent experience with LUC I delivered a package of training for Natural England to support their Green Infrastructure Framework, and was commissioned to undertake research for clients that included the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Environment Agency.
I am currently undertaking a part-time PhD that is exploring the delivery of green infrastructure in major residential development.

Qualifications

University of Plymouth: BSc Geography (1998)
University of Reading: MPhil Environmental Planning and Design (2001)
University of the West of England: Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (2008)
University of the West of England: PhD in Planning (ongoing)

Professional membership

I am a chartered member of the RTPI and have supported the institute's activities at a national and regional level. I have served as a member of the institute's General Assembly and Education and Lifelong Learning Committee and acted as chair of the overarching Partnership and Accreditation Panel between 2020 and 2022. Regionally I acted as chair in 2013 and served on the South West Regional Activities Committee for over ten years.

Roles on external bodies

I have acted as chair of the RTPI Partnership Boards for the universities of Ulster and Sheffield.

Teaching

Teaching interests

My teaching is principally directed to MSc Planning and MSc Town Planning, two programmes that are accredited by the RTPI. Further detail on these programmes is provided via this link.
Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development (PLG502). The purpose of this module is to provide a strategic understanding of the role of planning in delivering sustainable development and mitigating and adapting to the challenge of climate change.
Development Management and Delivery (PLG504). This module evaluates the delivery of development through the planning system, with a focus on the development management system, planning law, urban design and development economics.
Urban Design: theories, methodologies and practice (PLG505). The aim of this module is to understand the way in which different qualities of the urban space affect how it is experienced and inhabited and how this understanding can be utilised in the formulation of urban design initiatives, place-making and planning policy at the wider urban scale.