Category: Cities and Place

Our work spans the inter-dependecies of infrastructure, social, economic and environmental studies. These are the stories behind that research.

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3.6 Open Lab and the Metro Futures project with Dr Simon Bowen and Huw Lewis

In this episode we talk to Dr Simon Bowen, Senior Research Associate in the School of Computing at Newcastle University and Huw Lewis, Customer Services Director at Nexus.

Nexus operate the Tyne and Wear Metro – one of the UK’s busiest light rail systems, carrying 40 million passengers a year.

Discover how Open Lab at Newcastle University led the Metro Futures project, a ground breaking public consultation involving over 20,000 people that informed the new design of the Tyne and Wear Metro trains.

Find out more about Open Lab and the Metro Futures project and follow @My_Metro on twitter.

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3.3 Newcastle and Pittsburgh: A global place based partnership with Jane Robinson and Ariel C. Armony

In this episode we talk to Jane Robinson, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Engagement and Place at Newcastle University and Ariel C. Armony, Vice Provost for Global Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh.

Learn about the importance of global partnerships and how the two institutions are sharing ideas and working together to shape a sustainable, just and inclusive future.

Find out more about the partnership and the next Newcastle Pittsburgh Collaborative Conference.

Jane Robinson is Newcastle University’s first Pro-Vice Chancellor, Engagement and Place and is building on many of the lessons she learned in her previous role as Chief Executive of Gateshead Council and Chief Operating Officer at Durham University. These include how culture plays a role in defining a ‘place’ and how partnerships can tackle social and economic challenges. Before taking up her position at Durham, Jane was chief executive of Gateshead Council. She holds an MBA and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in English Literature.

Ariel C. Armony leads the University of Pittsburgh’s global engagement as the Vice Provost for Global Affairs and Director of the University Center for International Studies, home to the University’s top-ranked thematic and area studies centers. He also holds faculty appointments in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and Department of Political Science in the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. Ariel works to advance the University’s global plan “Embracing the World,” which places global learning, research, partnerships, and community engagement at the center of the University’s mission. The plan takes a strategic approach to international partnerships, encourages concerted decision-making that leads to transformational action across all Pitt campuses, and guides Pitt toward real-world impact through global learning and research.

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2.5 Revisited: The VOICES Project with Professor Liz Todd and Luke Bramhall

Back in May 2021, we spoke to Professor Liz Todd and Luke Bramhall about the VOICES project. In this special episode, we revisit the project and Liz and Luke share their findings about young people’s experiences of education and employment during the pandemic and what this means for their future opportunities.

VOICES is managed and delivered by Newcastle University and Children North East and funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, as part of UK Research and Innovation’s rapid response to Covid-19. The project has now worked with over 1,000 young people across the North East to understand the needs of children and young people aged 5–18 in and through the pandemic. A diverse range of young people took part including many who live in poverty.

To find our more and read the latest VOICES evidence publication visit the VOICES project website and follow @voicesprojectNE.

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2.4 Human Rights Day: Rights Beyond Borders with Professor Rhona Smith

In this special episode to mark Human Rights Day (10th December), we talk to Professor Rhona Smith, Professor of International Human Rights at Newcastle University.

Rhona was appointed as Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia by the UN Human Rights Council in March 2015 and served two three-year terms, completing her service in March 2021.

Learn about the significance of Human Rights Day, the role of special rapporteur and explore human rights issues in Cambodia and beyond.

To find out more about Rhona’s research visit her profile page. Read more about Human Rights Day at: https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-rights-day

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1.1 Giving Children A Voice

In this episode we talk to Liz Todd (@plizt), Professor of Educational Inclusion at Newcastle University and Luke Bramhall, Poverty Proofing and Participation Service Manager at Children North East (@ChildrenNE), about VOICES.

The VOICES project aims to understand the challenges that children and young people face in the context of Covid19, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas of the North East.

Hear why both Liz and Luke are so passionate about co-producing work with children, young people, and their families and why we need to give them a voice.

A staggering 35% of children in the North-East live in poverty, and it is clear from the project that one of the most powerful ways to support children and young people through these challenging times is to give them the opportunity to speak, and to stop and really listen.

If you’re interested in finding out more visit the VOICES project website and follow @voicesprojectNE.