John Lever

Dr John Lever is a Reader in Sustainable and Resilient Communities at the Business School of Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU). He holds a PhD in Public Policy and has previously led the SURGE Research Centre at the University of Huddersfield, focusing on funded research in sustainable communities and food systems. Lever's work bridges sociology, human geography, and management, with a focus on sustainable food systems, religious food markets, migration, and circular economy practices. He is a Fellow of the Norbert Elias Foundation and the Higher Education Academy (HEA), and active in international organizations like the International Sociological Association (ISA) and the Royal Geographical Society (RGS).

His research explores topics such as halal and kosher markets, food system resilience, and the socio-economic integration of refugees. Lever has led projects funded by the ESRC, EU, and BA/Leverhulme Trust, including the BFURE project on Syrian refugee entrepreneurship and the South Pennines Food Circle initiative to enhance regional food economies. He has authored books including Religion, regulation, consumption: Globalising kosher and halal markets and contributed to journals like Environment and Planning C and Journal of Rural Studies.

Lever's recent work emphasizes food system transformation, including post-COVID-19 resilience strategies and the role of circular economies. He advocates for policies that balance planetary boundaries with social justice, as seen in his analysis of 'safe and just' food systems. His interdisciplinary approach and engagement with policy, NGOs, and community groups reflect his commitment to actionable research with societal impact.