Welcome to our new SPE Research Centre Members who have joined UWE in the past year. We continue to grow as a research centre in capacity and outstanding research endeavours.
We are very pleased to welcome our new members as they take on and excel in their different roles.
Reem Elnady
I am a passionate and fully funded PhD researcher at the Centre for Sustainable Planning and Environment, having embarked on this academic journey in June. My focus lies in unravelling the diverse experiences of women refugees as they navigate host communities, with a particular emphasis on the dynamic context of Bristol city.
Before joining the Centre for Sustainable Planning and Environment, I was an urban researcher at the Egyptian Sustainable Urbanism Lab (ESU-LAB), delving into the intricacies of informal settlements, participatory approaches, and urban narratives in unplanned areas across the Middle East. My academic background includes a Master’s in Architecture from Egypt, where I honed my expertise in understanding and addressing the challenges faced by marginalized communities.
Reem Elnady
Owain Hanmer
I started as a Research Associate at SPE in August 2023. My research foundations are in the politics of urban agriculture/gardening and food, which gradually snowballed to encompass other related themes—community development, alternative forms of governance, and retirement/ageing. I am particularly interested in exploring the mundane practices of ‘commoning’—which involves critically engaging with the everyday practices that potentially exist despite or beyond neoliberal value-practices and framings.
I completed my PhD (funded by the ESRC) at Cardiff University where I focused on commoning amongst retired urban gardeners. I then worked on the project ‘Infuse’ (also Cardiff University), focusing on public sector innovation, experimental governance, and community development. I am really looking forward to developing these areas and working alongside colleagues at SPE to develop new projects.
Owain Hanmer
Sam Pinnock
I am a fully funded PhD student with the SPE, having joined in the Summer of 2023. My study is part funded by the Welsh Government and is focused on economic regeneration strategy in the South Wales Valleys with a particular focus on communities in proximity to disused coal tips. I am interested in the strategy formulation process and how stakeholder groups like local communities and government collaborate.
I have also recently completed a Master’s in Urban Planning at UWE where I wrote my dissertation on the concept of ‘Beauty’ in the current planning context of UK government planning guidance and how subjective terminology provides less certainty.
Sam Pinnock
Joy Pedro
I am currently a postgraduate student at the Centre for Sustainable Planning and Environment. My research aims to develop the knowledge that facilitates the co-designing of green spaces to improve use and mental health of young people in Abuja Nigeria. I have a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a master’s degree in Environment Design. I am also a certified project manager with Project Management Institute (PMI) with at least a decade industry experience in design, planning and project management. My research interests are around green infrastructure, smart cities, healthy places.
Joy Pedro
Swati Sood
I am presently a fully funded PhD researcher at the Centre for Sustainable Planning and Environment for Faculty of Environment and Technology. My study focuses on improving “End of life management for onshore wind turbine by employing circular economy principles.”
I acquired a master’s degree in building information modelling (BIM) with distinction from UWE, and my dissertation on the circular economy in the built environment was published in the UWE library repository. I worked as a construction specialist for urban design and constructed developments for more than a decade before earning my master’s degree. In addition, I hold a certification in interior design and worked on project management for different architecture and interior projects.
Swati Sood
Katy Karampour
I joined UWE in January 2023 as a lecturer in Urban Planning. Prior to joining UWE, I was a Research Associate in Planning and Housing at the Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research, the Land Economy Department of University of Cambridge. I have a PhD in Urban Planning and an MSc in Urban Regeneration form the Bartlett School of Planning, UCL and an MA in Architecture with specialism in Urban Conservation from University of Tehran.
At UWE I’m a co-programme leader for our BSc Urban Planning programme. My teaching activities include PhD supervision, undergraduate and postgraduate dissertation supervision, and teaching modules from level 1 to postgraduate (M level). I am an experienced qualitative researcher interested in carrying out innovative research in relation to policy and practice, providing an evidence base for making positive changes to policy and process to achieve societal aims. Whilst at the University of Cambridge, I conducted policy-oriented research around housing and planning, developing an interest in how the planning system in the UK could adapt to the challenges of net zero transition. Recently I have completed an ESRC Impact project on the role of the planning system in delivering net zero new homes in the UK.
Katy Karampour
Aditya Ray
I joined UWE Bristol in January 2023 as Lecturer in Human Geography. My work explores the intersections between digitalisation, urbanisation, migration and sustainable development.
My research, supported by different institutions, has looked at labour geographies of Information Technology-enabled services outsourcing. I have led an international research project documenting coping practices of apps-based platform drivers in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic in India. I am working with colleagues at the Open University on understanding gender and transnational mobility in Tech sectors in the UK and India. I am also forging collaborations with other partners on projects exploring digital platforms and automation, and their relationship with work, welfare and sustainability.
I have taught previously at Queen Mary University of London as Lecturer in Development Geography, and at the University of Sheffield as postgraduate supervisor in the Digital Media and Society programme.
Aditya Ray
Jenna Dutton
I am an ambitious and passionate researcher and professional urban planner with over fourteen years of experience working in collaboration with and for academia and local governments. I started my PhD in January 2023 in the topic Gender inequality in cities: the role and potential of urban planning. In my previous role as Senior Social Planner, I led various projects including those focused on climate and equity, childcare, and accessibility.
As an advocate for equity and inclusion in urbanism I contribute to global planning efforts as Co-chair of the Commonwealth Women in Planning Network and leading research on various topics including Feminist Planning and Urbanism. I was named one of The Planner Magazine’s Women of Influence 2023.
Jenna Dutton