ϲ

Skip navigation

Dr Ian Cook

Assistant Professor

Department: Social Sciences

Ian has worked in the Department of Social Sciences since 2011. He works across the disciplines/fields of geography, urban studies and criminology.

His research often focuses on cities, and his latest research project consider people's experiences of, and the governance of, pedestrian underpasses in Newcastle. Away from cities, he is also working on a research project looks at the experience of academics who move between academic disciplines.

Before arriving in the North East, Ian worked at the University of Liverpool, University of Portsmouth and University of Manchester. Most importantly, he is a fan of Portsmouth Football Club.

Ian Cook

Ian's research focuses on cities, with a particular emphasis on four issues: (1) public spaces and subterranean places; (2) policy mobilities; (3) sex work; and (4) fictional cities and crime:

  • Public spaces and subterranean places - Ian's research often focuses on two different parts of the city: parts that are public space and parts that are underground/subterranean. These two types of places merge in his current research project on . A recent article by Ian and colleagues explores the sensory, gendered and aged dimensions of . Elsewhere, he has continued the subterranean theme in an article examining the representation of the subterranean within crime fiction novels.
  • Policy mobilities - Perhaps his best known work is on policy mobilities which looked at the construction and movement of models of best practice, often in the field of urban development and urban regeneration (e.g. Business Improvement Districts, , waterfront regeneration, sporting mega-events) as well as sex work. A key part of this research involved looking at the methods through which policymakers learn about policies elsewhere, focusing in particular on , conferences and award ceremonies.
  • Sex work - Ian has worked on a number of projects about sex work, many with an urban focus. These projects include ones looking at how clients of sex work are policed (and ); the international circulation of sex work policy models; the ; and activism by sex work academics.
  • Fictional cities and crime - Ian is examining the representation of cities within crime dramas and crime fiction. He has explored this through and has explored how subterranean places and time are represented in Ian Rankin's long-running John Rebus novels.

Laura McMenzie Models on the Move: The Mobilities of Swedish and Dutch Sex Work Policies Start Date: 01/10/2015 End Date: 21/01/2022

  • Geography PhD September 01 2008
  • Fellow of Advance HE


a sign in front of a crowd
+

Northumbria Open Days

Open Days are a great way for you to get a feel of the University, the city of Newcastle upon Tyne and the course(s) you are interested in.

Research at Northumbria
+

Research at Northumbria

Research is the life blood of a University and at ϲ we pride ourselves on research that makes a difference; research that has application and affects people's lives.

+

Find out what life here is all about. From studying to socialising, term time to downtime, we’ve got it covered.


Latest News and Features

Professor Greta Defeyter
a map showing areas of ice melt in Greenland
S2Cool project lead Dr Muhammad Wakil Shahzad
The Converted Flat in 2049, by the Interaction Research Studio, is one of seven period rooms built as part of the Real Rooms project which opened in July at the Museum of the Home in London.
The UK Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling (CPOM), based at ϲ, has been awarded over £400,000 by the European Space Agency to investigate tipping points in the Earth’s icy regions with a focus on the Antarctic. Photo by Professor Andrew Shepherd.
Nature Awards Inclusive Health Research
More news

Back to top