Katy Shaw

Katy Shaw is a Professor of Writing and Publishing at Northumbria University’s School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries. She serves as Director of the UKRI/AHRC Creative Communities programme and engages in cultural policy consultancy.

• PhD in English Literature, Lancaster University
• PGCE (Higher Education), Northumbria University
• MA in English, University of Cambridge

Her research focuses on UK devolution and culture, diversity in creative industries, and cultural policy-making. She delivered a TED talk on inclusion in publishing and authored the influential APPG Inquiry report ‘The Case for Culture’, which shaped post-pandemic cultural recovery policies.

Recent publications address regional cultural strategies and publishing equity. Grants include £916,836 for AHRC Creative Communities (2025-27) and £189,035 from the Wellcome Trust for sleep crisis research.

• AHRC Research Network Award 2023
• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

She collaborates with institutions like the British Council, Wellcome Trust, and Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport. Her TED talk and New Statesman articles highlight her public engagement.