Newcastle University

Research Interests

I have a background in psychology and social science. My research is mainly focused on people-environment interactions.

Professional background

2000-2005 research officer, then research manager at Counsel and Care, national older people’s charity

1996-2000 researcher in mental health at Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London and St Georges Hospital Medical School

1987-1992 editor in arts publishing, including Conran Octopus, Philip Wilson and Centaur Communications

Qualifications

PhD Rural Ageing, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, Newcastle University (funded by ESRC and DCLG)

M.Sc. Ageing and Mental Health, Department of Mental Health Sciences, University College London (part-funded by Counsel and Care)

B.Sc. Psychology equivalent (British Psychological Society Graduate Basis for Registration); MA History of Art, Courtauld Institute of Art; B.A. Philosophy and French, St Catherine’s College Oxford

Languages

French (fluent); Japanese (basic)

Research Associate (0.8)

2011-2015 ARCH (Architecture and roadmap to manage multiple pressures on lagoons), funded by EU Framework Programme 7, led by Norwegian Geotechnical Institute

Research Assistance

Consultancy project on Neighbourhood Planning: acting as critical friend to a Neighbourhood Planning Frontrunner in Northumberland, with Dr Geoff Vigar and Dr Zan Gunn, funded by the Catherine Cookson Trust.

Environmental Justice in the City of Newcastle: investigating the empirical aspects of environmental burdens and benefits in the city, with Professor Simin Davoudi, funded by the Institute for Local Governance.

Tackling Low Standards in Environmental Quality: a rapid review of the evidence, with Professor Simin Davoudi, commissioned by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Global SECURE: Sustainable Energy through China-UK Research Engagement: supporting scholar exchange and project outcomes including journal special issues and five year plan of engagement, with Professor John Pendlebury and Professor Simin Davoudi 

Projects

• Architecture and roadmap to manage multiple pressures on lagoons (ARCH)
  Project Leader(s): Professor Simin Davoudi
• Environmental Justice and the City
  Project Leader(s): Simin Davoudi
• Neighbourhood Planning
  Project Leader(s): Geoff Vigar

Teaching

TCP2023 Understanding Sustainable Development

TCP1026 Understanding Place

TCP3050 Strategies into Action

GEO3019 Analysis of Populations in Space and Time

• Davoudi S, Brooks E, Mehmood A. Evolutionary resilience and strategies for climate adaptation. Planning Practice and Research 2013. In Press.
• Vigar G, Brooks E, Gunn S. The innovative potential of neighbourhood plan-making. Town and Country Planning 2013, (epub ahead of print).
• Brooks E. Social Isolation as it Affects Older People in Rural Areas. Gloucester: Commission for Rural Communities, 2012. Available at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/crc/social-isolation-experienced-by-older-people-in-rural-areas/.
• Davoudi S, Mehmood A, Brooks E. Gap Analysis of the London Climate Change Adaptation Strategy. Newcastle upon Tyne: Newcastle University, 2011. GURU Working Paper 44.
• Brooks E. Il modello delle "small towns" inglese confrontate con el invecchiamento demographico [Small towns at the vanguard of demographic shift]. In: Lorenzetti, L, ed. Gli anziani e la città. (In)compatibilità, regolazioni sociali e ambiente costruito, XVI-XXI secoli. Rome, Italy: Carocci Editore, 2010, pp.143-159.
• Gilroy R, Brooks E, Shaw T. Ready or not: The ageing of the market towns' population. In: Powe, N.A., Hart, T., Shaw, T, ed. Market Towns: Roles, Challenges and Prospects. London: Routledge, 2007, pp.69-80.
• Brooks L. Grants to Local Authorities for 'That Bit of Help'. In: Raynes, N., Clark, H., Beecham, J, ed. Evidence submitted to the Older People's Inquiry into 'That Bit of Help'. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2006, pp.97-122.
• Brooks L, Abarno T, Smith M. Care and Support in Very Sheltered Housing. London: Counsel and Care, 2003.