Dr John Cox

  • Lecturer (Urban Studies & Social Policy)

Biography

Lecturer in social and public policy & urban theory and design in the Urban Studies department. 

John's doctoral research, entitled: Defining ‘Urban Character’ and its Influence on the Physical Outcomes of Cities, examined the ways in which the interplay between the tangible and intangible components of urban character can result in architectural outcomes unique to cities, including the ways in which feel and ambience, or spirit of place, are physicalised in built environments. The research also examined the factors impacting on urban character. These factors include globalised attitudes and approaches to place and architectural production by multinational corporations, and how these factors drive, constrain, or prevent urban character’s role in built environment processes.

Before academia, John worked in campaign media relations, mainly the NGO and charity sectors, and later, following his MA, practiced urban design. 

Research interests

  • Globalisation and place identity

  • Urban governance and post-pandemic challenges

  • Design theory and placemaking

  • Interplay between tangible and intangible components on built environment design

  • Socio-spatial interaction

     

 

Research groups

Supervision

  I am interested in supervising PhD projects related to my research interests, in particular:

  • The impact of globalisation on built environments

  • The importance of 'uniqueness' and placemaking in urban identity and design 

  • Design theory and its application in architectural and urban design 

  • Polycrisis and the city 

 

 

Teaching

Course Convenor

  • Social and Public Policy 1A (Foundations of Welfare) (PUBPOL1010)

  • Co-convenor Remaking Cities in a Global Age: Dilemmas of Urban Policy (co-course convenor) (PUBPOL4034)

  • Social and Public Policy 1B (Understanding Glasgow in a Globalised World) (PUBPOL1011)

Lecture Contributons (UG & PGT) 

  • Designing Places (URBAN 5010)

  • Urban Design Policy & Practice (URBAN 5050)

  • Urban Conservation (5118)

Dissertation Supervision (UG & PGT) 

  • REPR Programme (URBAN5054P)

  • Public Policy Programme (URBAN5080P)

  • Social & Public Policy (PUBPOL4001P)