Anna Francis

Anna Francis is an Associate Professor of Fine Art and Social Practice at Staffordshire University’s School of Digital, Technologies and Arts. She is also a Director at AirSpace Gallery and The Portland Inn Project, and actively contributes to initiatives like the Stoke City Council's Creative City Partnership Panel. Her work focuses on reimagining urban spaces through participatory art, emphasizing community engagement and sustainable development. Francis holds a BA and MA in Fine Art from Staffordshire University and a PGCE from Oxford Brookes University.

Research Interests: Francis explores the role of artists in urban and community development, particularly in revitalizing disused spaces (e.g., Brownfield sites) and fostering community-led design. Her projects, such as the Rethinking the Brownfield initiative and Portland Inn Project, highlight creative solutions for underutilized urban areas. She advocates for artists as catalysts for social change and has presented her work globally at conferences like Feral 2023 and the Nordic Geographers Meeting.

Key Achievements:

• Developed the Spode Rose Garden, transforming a disused site into a public green space.
• Authored publications including Planning for Change, Long Term – The 100 Year Plan (2023) and Rethinking the Brownfield (2012–present).
• Recipient of the Creative Climate Leadership Programme and Engage Extend Leadership Programme alumni recognition.
• Contributed to national and international policy discussions on arts-led regeneration through roles like the APPG ‘left behind’ neighbourhoods session.

Labs/Teams: Francis leads interdisciplinary teams through initiatives like the Portland Inn Project, fostering collaboration between artists, communities, and local government to reimagine Stoke-on-Trent’s urban landscape.