Prestigious research recognition for Northumbria academics

7th June 2022

Northumbria academics have won a Best Paper prize in the prestigious Regional Studies Journal Policy Debates on transborder relational leadership after Brexit.

Professors Joyce Liddle and John Shutt from Northumbria’s Newcastle Business School, together with DrJohn Gibney from the University of Birmingham, were awarded the Regional Studies Association Best Policy Debates Paper 2022 as voted by the editor for their paper “Brexit disruption and transborder leadership in Europe.” The paper focused on the experience of city and regional leaders involved in developing cross-European cooperation during the early phase of Brexit.

The Regional Studies Journal publishes open access research on regional issues in geography, governance and policy, as well as urbanisation and economic development. It is considered one of the premier geography journals globally.

Commenting on the award, Professor Liddle said: “It is a huge honour to have won this prestigious prize for our collaborative paper and research. The work we are undertaking feeds into regional economic development and public policy in the wake of Brexit and the wider levelling up agenda in the UK. We believe winning this prize recognises the importance of our research and why strong leadership within the UK regions in developing cross European cooperation is so important.”

In collaboration with Dr Gareth Addidle from Bradford University, Professors Liddle and Shutt, were recently commissioned to edit a special edition of the influential peer-reviewed Local Economy journal on the Levelling Up policy. Levelling Up the United Kingdom?A useful mantra but too little substance or delivery? has just been published.

Professors Liddle and Shutt have also led roundtable discussions at the House of Commons on the future of the Northern Powerhouse and edited books on The North East After Brexit: Impact and Policy.

They are also holding an event with the Right Honourable Kevan Jones, to discuss the MP for North Durham’s recent report entitled: Government spending in the North-East of England since 2010. The presentation and Question and Answer session will take place in Northumbria’s Newcastle Business School on Friday 1st July 2022 between 10:00am and 12 noon. For more information and to book a place please contact Professor John Shutt or Professor Joyce Liddle.