Policy Research Group at St Chad’s College

The Policy Research Group (PRG) produces high quality, independent research to support public policy development and implementation.  Our team of social scientists and economists focuses upon four principal research areas: (1) Regional Development; (2) Employment, Skills and Enterprise; (3) Community Development and Third Sector;  and (4) Young People and Social Mobility.

The Group brings together experienced researchers from the College, and from within and outside Durham University.  Professor Fred Robinson joined St Chad’s in 2003 and has undertaken research on social and economic change in the North East for many years.  Fred is an expert on policy evaluation and Third Sector research.  Professor Ian Stone is an economist and joined the College from Durham Business School in 2007, together with team members Gordon Allinson, Paul Braidford and Maxine Houston.  Professor Tony Chapman joined the team from Teesside University in 2011. The team's capabilities are further strengthened by a number of Research Associates, including Dr Arthur Walker (formerly of Durham Business School), Professor Paul Robson (Royal Holloway) and Ian Zass-Ogilvie who form part of PRG’s wider network of researchers and practitioners.

The Group has carried out work for a wide range of organisations, including the UK Treasury and Cabinet Office, the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills, the European Commission, Low Pay Commission, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the Institute for Local Governance, Millfield House Foundation, numerous local authorities, development agencies, sector skills organisations and social enterprise groups.  We have a strong interest in the development of policies to combat disadvantage and exclusion, and have been involved in the development and evaluation of a wide range of regeneration initiatives. The PRG is also responsible for the North East Regional Economy Model, a robust tool for economic analysis in the region.  

The PRG team presents conference papers, publishes papers in academic and professional journals, organises seminars, and undertakes teaching and supervision within the University.  It also publishes the Northern Economic Review, a peer-reviewed journal focusing on economic, social and political issues relevant to North East England.