The Global Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Stephen's work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

About Stephen

Programme Leader for the MSc Planning and MSc Town Planning (Level 7 Chartered Town Planner Degree Apprenticeship) programmes.

Supervised Research Degrees

AL-NOOR, A. (2019) Assessing Economic, Social, Political and Environmental Issues Related to Mega-projects: A case study of Merowe Dam in Sudan, Full-time PhD (Director of Studies).

FOX, A. (2014) Communities, Institutions and FloodRisk: Mobilising Social Capital to improve community resilience, Part-time,2008-2014, (Second Advisor).

DARLOW, S. (2010) Sustainable Heritage Management Practices: Models and exemplars in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Part-time, 2005-2008, Full-time, 2008-2010 (Second Advisor)

KELLY, C. (2008) Partnerships in the development and management of marine nature-based tourism, School funded, Full-time, 2005-2008 (Director of Studies)

VERNON, J. (2003) Barriers to sustainability among tourism-related businesses: identification and reduction, Ph.D., Faculty of Science, Caradon District Council, Southwest Tourism and Caradon LEADER II, Full-time, 1998-2001, Part-time, 2001-2002 (Director of Studies)

CONNELL, J. (2002) Public access, management and environmental responsibility: the experience of gardens open to the public, Part-time, 1998-2002 (Director of Studies)

NOVELLI, M. (1999) Turismo Rurale e agriturismo: realta’ del West Country (Gran Bretagna) e della Puglia a Confronto, Ph.D. thesis, Dipartimento di Scienze Geografiche e Merceologiche, Universita’ Degli Studi di Bari. Exchange student at Plymouth 1998-99 (Supervisor)

CLEGG, A. (1997) The Recession as an Agent in the Restructuring of Tourist Accommodation, Ph.D., ESRC Research studentship, Full-time, 1993-96; Part-time, 1996-97 (Director of Studies)

MASON, P. (1996) The Learn to Travel Project: A Case Study of curriculum innovation in schools, PhD, Part-time, 1990-96 (Second Supervisor)

JONES, D.J. (1996) An Investigation into Land Use Change on Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, 1946-1992, M.Phil., Part-time, 1990-96 (Director of Studies).

Teaching

• Urban and rural planning
• Sustainable tourism
• Research methods

My main teaching at undergraduate level includes:

GGX1205 Geographical Journeys (module leader): This module introduces geography as an undergraduate subject, including the interactions between human and physical sides of the discipline; engages with big society debates/issues to which geography contributes: and develops research and learning as a grounding for future personal and professional development.

GGH2208 Urban planning, design and security: This module provides a critical understanding of the evolution and operation of urban planning, design and security across a range of global contexts.

GGH3027 Sustainable Cities: This module examines how cities are tackling sustainable development and climate change challenges in an increasingly urban world. https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools/school-of-geography-earth-and-environmental-sciences/geography/featured-module-sustainable-cities

I also act as advisor on a number of dissertation projects (GGX3200 Dissertation in Geography) and work-based learning placements (GGX3203 Work-based Learning). I also contribute to residential fieldwork modules in Year 1 (GGX1205 Geographical Journeys) and Year 2 (GGX2204).

At Masters level, I am the Programme Leader for MSc Planning and MSc Town Planning, which is fully accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute. Further details are found at: http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/msc-planning

My teaching on the MSc Planning programme includes:

PLG501 Issues and Values in Planning Practice (module leader): This module focuses on the development of planning theory and practice and the core professional values and skills relevant in contemporary practice (especially consultation, negotiation and mediation skills). It emphasises the changing demands on, and approaches of, the professional planner and the importance of maintaining an up-to-date skills set to ensure professional competence.

PLG503 Environmental Knowledge: from field to stakeholder (module leader): This module reviews quantitative and qualitative research methods relevant to professional and academic investigations in the field of planning. Information is a tool for policy-makers to use to make choices. The ability to build an evidence base for policy and evaluation as well as carry out and interpret technical analysis is part of the basis for the legitimacy of planning as a profession. The module also prepares students in the formulation of research projects as the basis for their own dissertation (PLG510/511).

PLG508 Coastal Urban Regeneration (module leader): This module deals with the challenges of delivering urban regeneration in coastal contexts, namely port, post-defence, seaside resorts and rural market/fishing towns. The visibility of problems in coastal towns has arguably been obscured by the government’s traditional focus on urban and rural categories, yet the population of these settlements is equivalent in size to a region. Coastal towns experience a combination of particular disadvantages such as physical isolation, often accentuated by transport deficiencies; climate change; high inward migration of elderly and transient/benefit claimant populations and the outward migration of young people; a dual housing market; ‘one industry town’ economies often based on tourism; and low education attainment with low levels of aspiration.

PLG510/511 Dissertation Research Project (module leader): The dissertation project is an opportunity for candidates to undertake an original research investigation within the field of spatial planning. The topic must relate to their chosen specialist options. The best of these projects are publishable and a number have been submitted to planning-related journals for peer-review.

Contact Stephen

( A512, Portland Square, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
+44 1752 585980
S.Essex@plymouth.ac.uk