Phil Tomlinson

Phil Tomlinson is a Professor of Industrial Strategy at the University of Bath's School of Management, Co-Director of the Centre for Governance, Regulation & Industrial Strategy (CGR&IS), and affiliated with the Institute for Policy Research (IPR). He specializes in economic governance, regional development, and place-based industrial strategies such as Smart Specialisation. His work bridges academia and policy, with contributions to European economic debates and advisory roles in government and industry.

Education:

• PhD in Economics, University of Warwick (2001)
• MSc in Economics, University of Warwick (1996)
• Bachelor of Arts in Business and Financial Economics, Staffordshire University (1995)

Research Focus: Interdisciplinary studies on regional innovation ecosystems, anchor institutions (universities/OEMs), and policy frameworks for balanced growth. Recent work explores coworking spaces, digitalization, and inclusive regional strategies.

Awards & Recognition:

• Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (2023)
• Regional Studies Association Best Referee Award (2018)
• Dean's Award for Teaching Innovation (2021)

Grants & Projects:

• ESRC-funded research on coworking spaces and regional levelling up (2023–2025)
• EPSRC 'Made Smarter Innovation' initiative (2021–2025)

Policy Engagement: Advises UK government bodies (BEIS, DfT), EU Commission, and regional authorities on industrial and innovation policy. Active in parliamentary briefings and EU territorial development initiatives.