Sector knowledge: Planning Theory & Practice

Journal Summary: Planning Theory & Practice provides an international focus for the development of theory and practice in spatial planning and a forum to promote the policy dimensions of space and place. The journal aims to challenge theory and change practice and is distinctive in its commitment to publishing content which combines intellectual rigour with practical impact.
The journal’s innovative Interface section adopts an original approach to stimulating critical and challenging debate through academic publishing. This includes promoting dialogue between the academic and practitioner communities, encouraging analytical reflection on practice and practical engagement with theory. Each issue of Interface offers a multifaceted investigation of a topical theme, in the form of a series of contributions reflecting on an issue from different perspectives. The journal’s Comments and Reviews section comprises Policy & Planning Briefs, which provide critical insights into key policy developments and analysis of spatial plans, Book Reviews, and Comments on a current issue and rejoinders to articles previously published.The journal is co-owned by the Royal Town Planning Institute and Taylor & Francis.

The range of Planning Theory & Practice includes:
• Developing the theoretical and methodological foundations of planning theory and practice, as well as urban studies more generally;
• Developing the contributions of the planning field to social science, both analytically and normatively;
• Exploring the relationship between theory and practice, including reviews which examine emergent practices and interpret them in the light of current intellectual debates;
• Challenging the impact of intellectual ideas through critical reflection and review;
• Examining policy development in particular fields such as housing, regeneration, transport, urban design, participatory practice, diversity and climate change.

Publisher:  Routledge

Website: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rptp20/current

Access: Subscription; some open access

Journal Type: Academic peer reviewed

Sector knowledge: Museums Journal

Journal Summary: Published every month by the Museums Association, Museums Journal provides readers with comprehensive news, analysis of key issues, profiles, reviews and details of the latest projects in museums, galleries, historic sites, cultural properties, archives and libraries.

Publisher: Museums Association

Website: https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal

Access: Professional institute research and insight articles and case studies; MA member access

Journal Type: Professional journal

PRAXIS – heritage, research and policy

I am finalising ideas for a talk next week for the Praxis programme at the University of Leeds, considering how best to engage with the policy progress from an academic standpoint. I have been asked to talk due to my career path which has weaved backwards and forwards between industry and applied research as a very practical academic and hands-on manager (of projects, people and bits of Universities and charities), always within or closely aligned to the heritage sector.

The organisers are indulging me, so I have prepared the short talk from a autobiographical standpoint, using some case studies to illustrate different points on a personal journey working between policy and practice over an extended period (rather than advising on policy input per se).  I am hoping that this may be a useful counterpoint to the typical “here’s what is expected of you as researchers to achieve impact” to think about longer term opportunities and trajectories for not only applying findings back into policy as an influencer, but also career and skills development, as well and managing different requirements and expectations of stakeholders along the way.

It has been a useful exercise for me in the preparation of the talk to begin to see the common threads in some of the wildly different and disparate things that I have been involved with over the last 25 years, and remind myself about still useful and relevant items stored in the far reaches of my files and notes.