Dr. Mark Stephens

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Biography

Mark Stephens rejoined the University of Glasgow in 2020 as the Ian Mactaggart Chair in Land, Property and Urban Studies. With a comprehensive academic background including a degree in Philosophy, Politics & Economics from Oxford University, and a PhD from the University of Glasgow focused on the Economic Monetary Union and Housing System, he has significant experience in interdisciplinary research. Prior to his current role, he spent eight years at Heriot-Watt University as the Director of the Urban Institute. His research primarily addresses housing systems and their connections to broader social and economic structures, with a methodological specialism in international comparative research. He has contributed to major policy evaluations including the Evaluation of English Housing Policy for the UK Government and has led projects for the European Commission on housing exclusion. His interests extend to planning, land property taxation, and heritage, with notable roles including Editor of the UK Housing Review and founding Editor of the European Journal of Housing Policy. He has worked as a consultant for several international organizations, including UN Habitat and the European Parliament, focusing on housing issues in various countries. Stephens is also involved in local community work and has served on several boards and advisory groups, emphasizing his commitment to public policy engagement.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

2020-01-01 — Present

University of Glasgow • Glasgow

Current position as Chair in Land, Property and Urban Studies focusing on interdisciplinary research and policy evaluation.

Director

2012-01-01 — 2020-01-01

Urban Institute, Heriot-Watt University • Edinburgh

Led the Urban Institute with a focus on housing and urban studies.

Awards

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Influential Housing Report 2020

2020-01-01

Courses

Housing Contexts International Housing Policy