Personal Statement
Jo is an interdisciplinary researcher focusing on how urban environments shape human wellbeing, with particular interests in blue and blue-grey space, environmental quality and the everyday practices of caring for the public realm. Drawing on experience across academic and applied settings, she specialises in qualitative research integrating diverse perspectives to address complex policy challenges.

Jo has a professional background in practice and administration in architecture, planning, housing and regeneration. Her experience spans public, private and community sectors and follows a degree in architecture and a master’s in urban regeneration. She joined the Heseltine Institute from the Department of Geography and Planning at the University of Liverpool, where she was project manager for an EU-funded research project in maritime spatial planning. Previously, she has been responsible for management and monitoring of place-based funding programmes in Liverpool City Region and elsewhere. A policy and programmes officer at Liverpool City Council for over ten years, she worked on the Capital of Culture and Year of the Environment programmes, waterfront and city centre public realm improvements, community environmental projects and heritage strategy development.