Shaping the National Economy

Researchers in the School provide expert consultancy as part of several national committees which advise on change and new policies in government.  

Dr Roseline Wanjiru is a member of the Export Guarantees Advisory Council, one of eight experts who advises the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on relevant aspects of policy on UK exports.  

Professors Joyce Liddle and John Shutt have been involved in advising the government on public sector commissioning and procurement and have contributed, as one of four university centres selected, to help the Cabinet Office develop the National Leadership Centre. The pair have recently received funding to examine procurement and commissioning in the North East in the context of COVID-19 and beyond.  

Research into empirical anti-money laundering by Dr Jackie Harvey was the only piece of academic research included in the House of Common’s Library briefing paper of money laundering law. Dr Harvey was awarded research funding by an international partnership led by the UK Government to help tackle global corruption. 

Work by Professors Ian Fitzgerald and Ron Beadle on Trade Unions and the 2016 EU Referendum has helped develop the British TUC’s ‘Leading Change’ Programme for senior union leaders.  

An example of the School’s engagement with British business is a collaboration with Sage UK Ltd on the MADE project which offers accountants across England free digital coaching skills training to help boost the productivity of small businesses and economic growth.  

Dr Toby Low is working in partnership with the Centre for Public Impact to support efforts to help governments become more effective and trusted.  

Professor Andrew Perchard’s research into the legacy of coal mining strikes and closures has helped pave the way forward for new legislation to overturn criminal convictions. His research concluded that most punishments and convictions would not be upheld today and were handed out in an excessive manner.