What did you study at A-level and why did you select those subjects?
I studied English Literature, Human Geography, Mathematics with Statistics, and General Studies. It was quite an eclectic mix, but I chose English Literature because I enjoyed it, and Human Geography because I knew my future career was most likely to head in that direction.
What degree and PhD did you study?
I started out in Edinburgh studying for a BA (Hons) in Landscape Architecture (Heriot-Watt University), which I loved. I then worked for many years before completing an MCD in Town and Regional Planning (University of Liverpool). Returning to university as a mature student was a revelation, and I went on to study part-time for a PhD in Environment, Energy and Resilience (University of Exeter) while working in a related field.
What inspired you to choose and study your degree subject?
A PhD is about making a contribution, or a difference, and my studies have brought together everything that I am passionate about.
What key skills did you learn at university?
The main thing I gained was confidence. As a first-generation student, I had nobody to advise me on higher education, but I quickly discovered that hard work reaps benefits and is incredibly satisfying.
What jobs have you had during your career?
I’ve had lots of jobs! I first graduated in 1985 and eventually became a Chartered Landscape Architect, working my way up to Technical Director at RPS. My job involved a lot of planning-related work, and I decided to return to university to gain the necessary qualification to undertake Expert Witness work.
I then moved into an Environmental Planner role and became a Chartered Town Planner. In this new role, I was involved in developing grid infrastructure and soon realised I was very interested in how this impacted communities. I was subsequently awarded a fully funded PhD, which I completed part-time while continuing to work in private practice as a Principal Planning Consultant at Arup.
What is your current job and what do you enjoy about it?
I joined the University of Liverpool as a Lecturer in January 2021, right in the middle of the pandemic! I have been in the role ever since and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2024.
I love every aspect of my job! I enjoy the teaching and the unexpected opportunities that come from external knowledge exchange. My interests are quite diverse—I can be advising the government on grid transformation one week and then advising the Liverpool City Region on gender-inclusive design the following week!
Do you have an area of expertise?
I specialise in community engagement, with expertise in advising on public disengagement from planning for energy infrastructure. My current work focuses on energy futures, particularly grid transformation. A focus on stigma and marginalisation has also enabled me to undertake wider research into the gendered aspects of planning and inclusion.
What has been your most exciting project or career role?
Working with the United Nations and Arup has been incredibly exciting—especially working on the Designing Cities That Work for Women report (2022), which led to global presentations and awards. I never expected to have the opportunity to take part in the UN Assembly or to be invited to present to an audience of one million people at a United Nations conference in the Far East.
What are your top tips for working in your industry?
I could never have predicted some of the amazing opportunities I’ve had in my current role. So my advice is: work hard, follow your passions, network widely, and be open to new opportunities.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
My parents brought me up to believe that you can achieve anything if you work hard enough. They taught me to follow my dreams—and, most importantly, to trust my intuition.
Why are you passionate about your career?
My current role makes a demonstrable difference. I love seeing students go out into the world and become confident professionals, but I’m also proud of my personal research and work achievements, which have made a real difference to the world we live in.
More resources:
Podcast: University of Liverpool Original ideas - Feminist Cities
Video: UNDP Launch event for the report ‘Designing cities that work for women’
Video: University of Liverpool - Department of Geography and Planning
Podcast: University of Liverpool Academy - Developing Academic Practices to Widen Participation
Catherine's University Departmental profile
Catherine's LinkedIn profile
Catherine's LCRCA profile