Karen Escott - Sheffield Hallam University

Prior to joining the university in 2002, Karen worked at the Centre for Public Services (1989-2002) providing research expertise and strategic advice to a wide range of clients including national and regional agencies, local authorities, trade unions and community groups. She also worked for Sheffield City Council's Department of Employment and Economic Development (1982-1989), developing local economic appraisals and labour market studies, and as a researcher in local economic development at Middlesex University (1978-1982).

Karen is a member of the Academy of Urbanism and a trustee of public arts organisation BEAM

Research interests

• social and economic analysis including evaluation of anti-poverty and regeneration initiatives
• public service management
• equal opportunities including gender and local labour markets

Karen is currently supervising two PhD students on the following topics

• Institutions, power and scale: exploring the politics of economic development in Northern England.
• Local authority leadership in regeneration in the North West region