Andy Pike is Professor of Local and Regional Development and Director of the Centre for Urban and Regional development studies (CURDS) at Newcastle University.

His central research interest is the geographical political economy of local and regional development. His research builds on policy engagement and has informed local and regional development policy for international (e.g. European Commission, United Nations International-Labour Organization (UN-ILO), Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), national (e.g. Government Departments – Business, Innovation and Skills; Communities and Local Government), regional (e.g. Local Enterprise Partnerships, Regional Development Agencies, trade unions, voluntary organisations) and local (e.g. Local Authorities, Development Agencies) organisations.

His current work focuses on the governance of uneven development, developing new business models to improve the delivery of infrastructure systems, and tackling declining cities in the UK.

His book ‘Origination: The Geographies of Brands and Branding’ is published by Wiley-Blackwell

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