Neil Tait

Name: Neil Tait
Tel: 0191 2437163
E-Mail: n.tait@unn.ac.uk

Neil joined Northumbria University in 2006 working as Development Worker on the Regeneration Exchange project, which was a regional project set up to seek and exchange good practice in local community regeneration schemes across the North East.  Neil’s role was to co-ordinate activities and organise conferences on current relevant issues identified by stakeholders, run working groups on specific subjects and administer the projects finances, monitoring returns and steering group meetings.

While at the Sustainable Cities Research Institute, Neil has worked on a number of research projects involving desk-based research and interviews, including:

• Investigation into Specific Problems In Sustaining Employment, Training And Education (ETE) Outcomes For Young Offenders In Newcastle
• North East Community Empowerment Partnership research project.
• Workforce Skills Analysis for Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI) Shotton, Co. Durham.
• Consultation for Regional Infrastructure Consortium on VCS infrastructure needs and provision.
• ESRC-funded project looking at the participation of BME groups and dads in Children’s Centre services
• Investigation of the true value of Community Farms and City Gardens (CFCG).

More recently, Neil has been working on Virtual Newcastle Gateshead (VNG) project, which is set up to develop a 3D computer model for the uses of urban planning and research.  Neil’s role is to help co-ordinate activities including Steering Group and stakeholder meetings and in developing and progressing the project plan.  The VNG project is a partnership between Northumbria University, Newcastle and Gateshead Councils and aims to provide a better way to visualise developments prior to planning permission and building.  The project is currently in a proof of concept year, but the aim is to develop it into a permanent financially sustainable service to aid both the local authorities and clients.

Neil completed his  BA (Hons) Business Management at Northumbria in 2008 and is now studying towards a MSc Project Management with the School of the Built Environment.  On completion, Neil would like to progress his research interests which lie in the ever-growing field of sustainable development and is always looking for areas where this can be taken further.

Outside of work and study, Neil enjoys watching the fine football of the North East’s Premier team, Sunderland AFC and occasionally keeps goal in 5-a-side.  He also has 2 very energetic children that lovingly take any remaining energy he has left on a day.