Dr Paul Barratt

Senior Lecturer

Health, Education, Policing and Sciences

I am a cultural geographer with research interests focusing on environmental engagements, low carbon living and working, and qualitative research methods. The breadth of my teaching within the department reflects my varied research interests from human geography, research and environmental concerns.

Professional memberships and activities

Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society

Academic qualifications

PhD Human Geography – 2006-2009 Department of Geography, University of Hull

  • Department of Geography, University of Hull Research Scholarship

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Research Training (2009) University of Hull Graduate School

I have recently finished a PhD examining the technologically-mediated experiences of rock climbers. This study utilised a qualitative approach based upon semi-structured interviews and participant observation. The data was coded and analysed using NVivo qualitative data analysis software. Theoretically the study utilised an Actor Network inspired approach, principally because of the symmetry it affords humans and non-humans. This allowed me to explore how climbers’ gear is aligned and co-evolves with both climbers, and places, to enable the practice of climbing. As well as undertaking this programme of study I have lectured and taught undergraduate level students, attended specialist theoretical workshops, and presented work at several prestigious international conferences. My future plans are to build upon the completed PhD and academic career as an RA and lecturer by continuing to publish articles, attend and present research at relevant conferences, whilst further developing my lecturing skills.

BA Hons Human Geography - 1999-2002 (First Class) Department of Geography, University of Hull

  • Departmental Prize for Highest overall grade

  • Alan Patmore Prize for outstanding achievement at level 1

Expertise

  • Cultural geographer

  • Active researcher

  • Research Management

  • Consultancy

  • Journal reviewer

Research interests

Cultural Geography

Environmental engagements

Outdoor pursuits

Low-carbon transitions

Labour market trends

Qualitative research methods

Enterprise and commercial interests

Post Doctoral Research Associate

2010-2012 Centre for Low Carbon Futures, Department of Geography University of Hull. I worked as a Research Associate on a project looking at the transition towards low carbon supply chains. The UK aims to reduce Kyoto greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20-24 billion tonnes by 2050. In order to achieve this goal, action needs to be undertaken to cope with the unsustainable supply of energy and the need to reduce carbon footprints. The project I worked on took a new perspective to this challenge based on a holistic supply chain approach. With reference to regional economy and supply chains, this two year project (started in March 2010) aimed to develop a balanced green supply chain approach and system capable of providing an understanding of the impact of the green initiatives from a full supply chain perspective. This project was undertaken by the Centre for Low Carbon Futures (CLCF) utilising a multi-disciplinary approach, involving collaboration between the Centre for Adaptive Science (CAS) and Department of Geography (University of Hull), the Management School and Logistics and Supply Chain Management Research Centre (University of Sheffield), and the Stockholm Environment Institute (University of York).

My contribution focused upon a review of supplier and customer responses to widely used interventions and methods that are used to green supply chains and specifically designed to reduce carbon emissions. Interventions that are appealing to suppliers and customers for the chosen sectors are being identified through qualitative case study work. This will promote the design and improvement of new and existing low carbon interventions. This element of the project will provide different intervention alternatives (based, for example, on the use of different clean technologies). The efficiency and effectiveness of these interventions will be assessed through a Carbon Reduction Decision Support Tool. For more information on the project go to http://www.lowcarbonfutures.org/reports/research-reports?page=1 or contact me directly.

Research Associate – 2002-2006 Centre for City and Regional Research (CCRR), University of Hull.

As a Research Associate at the CCRR I was involved in the design, implementation, management, and reporting of several large-scale research projects. I was lead researcher on all three projects. A brief overview of the projects and my roles within them is detailed below.

  • Study of the Relative Costs of Delivering the Connexions Service in Rural and Urban Areas - This project was undertaken for the DfES in order to assess the costs of urban and rural service delivery. This involved meeting with a representative sample to identify and quantify cost differentials. During the project I undertook semi-structured interviews with management/delivery staff to establish and confirm delivery costs. I also led focus groups and diary sheet activities with delivery staff to investigate the geographically specific nature of their work and associated costs. The research was conducted in liaison with a steering group consisting of stakeholders including the Countryside Association, Defra, DfES, and the Connexions Service National Unit. I produced qualitative case studies of urban and rural connexions services to illustrate the difficulties and different costs associated with urban and rural based delivery, for the final report detailed above.

  • The provision of guidance and support to individual connexions partnerships undertaking local evaluation studies – This project was undertaken for the DfES. The project involved identifying best practice in Local Evaluation in the Connexions service via meetings with staff and management, and regional consultation events. I coordinated and implemented the outputs for this project which included; A local evaluation planning guidebook; a Web based evaluation matrix linking key performance indicators with evaluation techniques; evaluation consultancy for individual partnerships; and specific regional evaluation training sessions.

  • Graduates in SMEs - This project was commissions by the DTI (now BIS) to examine qualitative evidence of the tangible benefits that graduates can bring to SMEs. An outsourced quantitative phone survey was used to identify suitable firms to be interviewed. The project then utilised matched pairs of employers of similar sizes, and types, who did, or did not, employ graduates allowing us to isolate the benefits bought to companies via their graduate employees. I was involved in the dissemination of results via steering group meetings, interim and final report writing, as well as a journal articles based upon the report’s key findings.

Teaching

Level 4

  • Geography and Environment Tutor

  • Local Area Project

Level 5

  • Investigating Geography Tutor

  • Sustainable Communities

  • Project Preparation and Planning

Level 5/6

  • Environmental Planning and Policy

  • Regeneration Practice and Policy

Fieldwork activities

  • Supervision of the Level 5 Devon Fieldtrip

  • Supervision of the Level 5/6 Doxey Marshes Fieldtrip

Publications

Koh, S.C.L., Genovese, A., Acquaye, A. and Barratt, P. (2013) Decarbonising product supply chains: design and development of an integrated evidence-based decision support system – the supply chain environmental analysis tool (SCEnAT). International Journal of Production Research, 51: 2902-3-2109.
Special Issue: Knowledge management and supporting tools for collaborative networks.

Acquaye, A., Topi, C., Barratt, P., Glew, D., Kuylenstierna, J., Koh, L. and McQueen-Mason. (2012) Greening the supply chain: the development of supply chain carbon maps. International Journal of Engineering Management and Economics (IJEME), 3: 175-192.

Barratt, P. (2012) ‘My magic cam’: A more than representational account of the climbing assemblage. Area, 44: 46-53.

Barratt, P. (2011) Vertical Worlds: technology, hybridity and the climbing body. Social and Cultural Geography, 12(4): 397-412.

Eden, S. and Barratt, P. (2010) Outdoors versus indoors? Angling ponds, climbing walls and changing expectations of environmental leisure. Area, 42(40): 487-493.

Hart, T. and Barratt, P. (2009) The employment of graduates within Small and Medium Sized Firms in England. People, Place and Policy Online, 3(1): 1-15.

Conference presentations

Barratt, P. (2012) Low carbon transitions in the workplace: carbon conscious networks of knowledge and practice. Association of American Geographers, New York.

Barratt, P. (2011) Beyond the bottom line: exploring the dynamics of the low carbon cultural economy. Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers, London.

Barratt, P. (2009) Monsters of rock: hybrid bodies of ascension. Association of American Geographers, Las Vegas 2009. (Attendance funded by successful applications to University of Hull Graduate School Grant and Department of Geography Research Fund Grant.)

Barratt, P. (2009) ‘My magic cam’: the technologically mediated ascensions of hybrid climbers. Royal Geographical Society with Institute of British Geographers, Manchester.

Conference sessions organised

Green commitments: transitions to a carbon conscious society. AAG New York 2012 – Two sessions sponsored by the Economic Geography Speciality Group and the Energy and Environment Speciality Group of the AAG (co-organised with David Gibbs, University of Hull and Patrick Heidkamp, Southern Connecticut State University).

Learning to be low carbon: levering change at home and at work. RGS/IBG London 2011 – Two sessions sponsored by the Planning and Environment Research Group and Energy Research Group of the RGS/IBG (co-organised with David Gibbs and Sally Eden, University of Hull).

Getting Away from it all: embodied engagements with ‘nature’. RGS/IBG London 2011 - Two sessions sponsored by Social and Cultural Geography Research Group and Women in Geography Study Group (co-organised with Leila Dawney, University of Exeter).

Research reports

Koh, S.C., Genovese, A., Barratt, P. Acquaye, A., Rana, N., Kuylenstierna, J., Gibbs, D. and Cullen, J. (2011) Making the change: The transition to low carbon supply chains. Centre for Low Carbon Futures.

Koh, S.C., Genovese, A., Barratt, P. Acquaye, A., Rana, N., Kuylenstierna, J., Gibbs, D. and Cullen, J. (2011) Supply Chain Environmental Analysis: A new system for delivering a low carbon supply chain. Centre for Low Carbon Futures.

Hart, T. and Barratt, P. (2009) The Employment of Graduates in Small and Medium Sized Firms. Graduate Market Trends: Autumn edition: 15-17.

Bradley, P.N., Barratt, P. and Hart, T. (2006) Final Report: The Benefits of Employing Graduates in SMEs. Department of Trade and Industry.

Barratt, P., Braidford, P. and Houston, M. (2005) Final Report: The provision of guidance and support to individual Connexions Partnerships undertaking local evaluation studies. Department for Education and Skills.

Barratt, P., Braidford, P. and Houston, M. (2004) Connexions Evaluation Planning Handbook. Department for Education and Skills.

Bradley, P.N. and Barratt, P. (2003) Study of the relative costs of delivering the Connexions Service in rural and urban areas. Department for Education and Skills. http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR390.pdf

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021