Professor Christina Beatty
Christina is a Professor of Applied Economic Geography in the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR). She is a social statistician by background and has over 30 years’ experience of undertaking applied policy and evidence-based research. Christina is especially interested in the intersection of the social security system, labour market policy, housing policy, and the productivity of industries and places. Her research highlights the often unintended local consequences of national policy decisions; the uneven impact of welfare reform; the geography of hidden unemployment; and the long-term dynamics of local labour markets in different geographic and local economic contexts. Her research has a particular focus on older industrial Britain, former coalfield areas, and Britain’s seaside towns.
Christina has been part of many large scale government funded national research and evaluation projects which aim to understand the spatial impacts of socio-economic policy initiatives. These include the 10 year Evaluation of New Deal for Communities, the two year evaluation of the Reform of the Local Housing Allowance System for payment of Housing Benefit in the private rented sector, and is currently leading a Review of Supported Housing across Britain for the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities.
Sheffield Hallam Staff Profile
Twitter: @CBeatty_CRESR, @CRESR_SHU
Helen Mary Jones
Helen Mary has 40 years’ experience of work in public service, including as a member of the Senedd. She was Deputy Director of the Morgan Academy at Swansea University and has been chief executive of a leading national youth work organisation. Helen Mary has held a wide range of roles in the public and third sectors. Currently she is a public affairs consultant, leading campaigns for private and public sector organisations. Helen Mary is a board member of Social Care Wales and a Chair of the Board of Trustees of Children in Wales. She has presented on children’s rights at Harvard, Houston and Austin universities, in the US. In 2017, Helen Mary was awarded an honorary doctorate by Swansea University. This was in recognition of her contribution to public life, particularly the promotion of social justice.