DrPaula Russell

Paula's main research interests are in the broad area of community and governance. A particular focus of much of her research is the interface between civil society and the policy process most notably between the public and the institutions of the planning system. Other interests include the exploration of innovative approaches to managing land use and how places are shaped by various actors.

Paula is currently working with European colleagues, through the European Urban Research Association, on a number of projects relating to urban governance and policy. These include a project on Local State Society Relations and a working group which is focused on Urban Regeneration.

Paula has undertaken research on community engagement and resilience in urban neighbourhoods which suffered the effects of the economic crisis. With Geography colleague Niamh Moore she has explored children and young people's participation in the Irish planning system. She has completed research in the following areas: Community involvement in urban regeneration; the role of active citizens in neighbourhood development; the contested nature of rural development; participation, citizen capacity and the regeneration of social housing; social capital and civic engagement in rural areas; multifunctional intensive landuse and; the exploration of the potential of market based instruments in landuse planning. This research has been funded with research grants from the Royal Irish Academy, the Environmental Protection Agency and INTERREG. Paula is currently working with PhD students on research on compact urban development, participation in the planning system and intersectionality and active mobility.