Dr Catherine Queen MRTPI CMLI PIEMA FRGS FRSA FHEA

Personal Statement

My research interests are largely drawn from my professional planning experience and I completed my PhD in Environment, Energy and Resilience at the University of Exeter. My research, funded by ESRC and National Grid, broadly explored the real-world problem of the tensions arising from public disengagement from planning for high voltage overhead power lines. The research investigated themes of space, place, marginalisation, identity and belonging through a Bourdieusian lens. Outputs from the research included a novel conceptual framework and a new Typology of Engagement which can be applied to practice. I am currently exploring the transferability of my research into understanding public disengagement from other research areas such as climate futures. I undertake extensive knowledge exchange activities to share both research and practice based experience, particularly in relation to public engagement/disengagement, inclusive cities and planning for energy infrastructure.
My research interests are informed by a career in environmental consultancy, including working for Arup immediately prior to joining the University of Liverpool as a Lecturer in Planning. This has led to a commitment to both practice and research led teaching to widen student awareness. I am a Chartered Town Planner, a Chartered Landscape Architect and a Practitioner Member of IEMA with over 30 year’s experience, mainly working in private practice. I have worked as both a town planner and an environmental planner and my professional experience has been gained through working on a wide range of multi-disciplinary projects in England, Scotland and Wales, including Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) for highways and energy transmission.
I partnered with Arup and the United Nations Development Programme on the award winning ‘Cities Alive: Designing Cities that work for women’ report which provides practical, actionable guidance to urban practitioners, city leaders and decision makers on how to make more gender-equitable cities. Diversity and intersectionality were at the heart of the project and proved that making cities better for women, ultimately means that they are better for everyone.
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Prizes or Honours

• International Collaboration of the Year (Shortlisted) (THE Awards, 2023)
• RTPI Award for Research Excellence 2023 (Royal Town Planning Institute, 2023)
• Commended for Partnership of the Year (Individual) (University of Liverpool, 2023)
• Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Award (Faculty of Science and Engineering, 2023)
• The Holford Prize (Department of Civic Design, University of Liverpool, 2011)