Research projects focusing on international knowledge-sourcing of SMEs & their use of networks, devolution and policy-making in the UK, and the first European investigation of the ‘creative class’. The latter work has been revisited with new collaborators and was (as of January 2025) the most read paper in Cultural Trends in the previous 12 months. Work also Investigates associations between regional branding, regional culture, and regional products. Current research with colleagues internally and externally, focuses on innovation, creativity and the use of ‘co-working’ spaces, and home-based co-working. Also a recent focus on interregional innovation systems, Circular Economy innovation.

I have published over 140 contributions to academic and policy debates, including 54 articles (a number in top-rated journals such as Cambridge Journal of Regions Economy & Society, Regional Studies, Environment & Planning A, Environment & Planning C) and working papers, edited books (4), book chapters (15), research reports and conference papers (Regional Studies Association, American Association of Geographers, Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, European Regional Science Association) on the above. I have been involved in externally funded research, enterprise and consultancy projects valued at over £1.2m as either principal investigator, lead applicant, co-applicant or research consultant, including the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), The Scottish Executive, Cardiff and Co, the National Assembly for Wales, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCFW), Federation of Small Business (FSB), Research Councils UK, Innovate UK, and the National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts (NESTA). With colleagues in Cardiff School of Sport & Cardiff School of Technologies I am presently co-supervising a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) for the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMPSA).

My research has found resonance with a number of stakeholder groups- I have been an invited speaker for a diverse range of organisations including the University of the Basque Country, University of Seville, Local Economy Policy Unit, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, Targeting Innovation Ltd, Cardiff Unitary Authority, Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action, CIRCLE (University of Lund) and the Internal Business Law Consortium.

I have served as a scientific reviewer for the following research funding bodies:

• Economic and Social Research Council (UK)
• Autonomous Province of Bolzano (South Tyrol),
• Irish Research Council
• Horizon 2020 (Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellowships)
• British Academy (Newton International Fellowships)
• Polish National Science Centre

I have also provided expert evidence to a range of stakeholder bodies including The Senedd (Welsh Government) Petitions Committee in relation to the valuation of urban green infrastructure; the UK Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund via the Innovation Caucus; research and briefing services in relation to Brexit (Welsh Government Framework Agreement); research input to the Federation of Small Business (FSB) Wales Manifesto for Welsh Assembly Elections. In April 2021 I was invited by the UK Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government to comment on ‘Levelling Up’ Fund methodologies, and to peer review the associated Towns Fund proposed monitoring and evaluation strategy, and served on the ReWAGE sub-group for Work, wages and employment in the UK’s hospitality sector which reported in June 2023.