Professor Mark Shucksmith OBE

Mark is an author and professor of planning at Newcastle University, where he was director of the Institute for Social Renewal from 2012-18. His research focuses on social exclusion in rural areas, rural housing and rural development.

Mark recently served as specialist adviser to two House of Lords Select Committees. He was chair of the Scottish Government’s Committee Inquiry into Crofting and a board member of England’s Countryside Agency. Mark was awarded the honour of OBE in 2009.