Dr Donna Marie Brown

Contact:
d.m.y.brown@dundee.ac.uk
Tel:+44 (0)1382 384786
Fax:+44 (0)1382 388588
Postal Address:
Geography
School of the Environment
University of Dundee
Perth Rd
Dundee
DD1 4HN

Research

Research Interests

Located broadly within the spheres of social, cultural and political geography and urban studies, my research is focused on four main areas:

Identity, Space and Politics: Examining the interrelationship between identity construction and spatiality in contemporary urban life. I am particularly interested in the spatial and political claims of marginal groups in Western cities, specifically those of 'queer' and youth groups.
Theorising the everyday city: Critically analysing ways of knowing and ways of representing the contemporary city. I have a keen interest in (re)conceptualising notions of the public/private divide structuring Western cities.
Research Methods and Research Design: I have an interest in the development of social research design and qualitative research methods. My research responds to the increasing call for the need to carry out comparative research, accounting for the methodological challenges that such a demand creates.
Public Policy: Critically analysing public urban policy, particularly that produced under New Labour's Urban Renaissance, Sustainable Communities and Respect agendas. I am specifically interested in citizen involvement in public policy development, implementation and assessment. I also have a developed interest in the multi-lateral relationship between policy relevant academic research and public policy development.

For details of my current research project, 'The Policing of Youth in the Contemporary Urban Realm', visit the Scottish Institute for Policing Research website

For details of a research project that I am currently involved in, 'Youth Gangs and Knife Carrying', please visit the The Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research website

Recent Research Grants

Year	Amount/Description
July, 2009	Carnegie Research Grant - £1800 to investigate the policing of youth in Newcastle upon Tyne
November, 2008	The Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research Project: £2000 to conduct empirical research on 'Youth Gangs and Knife Carrying in Dundee'
September, 2006	Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Student Stipend £500 for collaboration with the DCLG and the production of a Working Paper
March, 2006	Institute of Advanced Studies Bursary, University of Durham £1000 honorarium for the submission of the original Social Science and Arts and Humanities Scoping Exercise
January, 2006	ESRC Overseas Institutional Visit Bursary 13 weeks funding to study in the School of Geosciences, Sydney University, 5th Feb - 7th May 2006
October, 2003	Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) Sustainable Communities Programme Studentship 3 year ESRC PhD Studentship with ODPM stipend

Background

Academic Background

Year	Degree/University
2004 - 2008	Geography, University of Durham PhD Candidate Thesis: Fashioning High Quality Public Space: Urban Transformation in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Gateshead
2002 - 2003	Department of Geography, University of Durham MA: Space, Culture and Politics (Distinction) Dissertation: Newcastle's Pink Triangle: A counterpublic for the gay community?
1999 - 2002	Department of Geography, University of Durham B.A (Hons): Geography Dissertation: An investigation into the impacts of industrial decline in Consett since 1980

Appointments

Year	Title/University
2008 - Present	Lecturer in Urban Geography, Scottish Institute for Policing Research, Dundee University
2007 - 2008	Scottish Institute for Policing Research, University of Dundee Postdoctoral Research Fellow Project: The Policing of Youth in the Contemporary Urban Realm
2007 - Present	Geography, University of Dundee Academic Fellow
2004 - 2007	Department of Geography, University of Durham Casual Teacher and Demonstrator

Professional

Professional Memberships

Royal Geographical Society/ Institute of British Geographers: Affiliate of the Geographies of Children, Youth and Families Working Group
Member of the Centre for the Study of Cities and Regions, Durham University

Professional Roles

Steering Committe Member for Scottish Institute for Policing's 'Police Community Relations Network'

Selected Recent Publications

Amin, A., O'Neill, M., Brown, D.M. and Daya, S. (Eds.) (2009) Thoughts on Almost Everything. Profile Press: London.

Brown, D. M. (forthcoming) 'The challenges of contemporary public space'. A Working paper for the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Brown, D. M. (2007) 'Review Essay: Alan Collins Cities of Pleasure'. Urban Studies 44(1): 200-2.

Brown, D. M. (2006) 'IAS Scoping Exercise: Key themes in the Social Sciences and Arts and Humanities'. Institute of Advanced Studies: Durham University.