Liz Richardson

Liz Richardson is a Professor of Public Administration at the University of Manchester and Head of Discipline in Politics. She specializes in participatory urban governance, local politics, public policy, and methodological innovation, including experimental and participatory research approaches. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly around equitable communities and sustainable cities.

Her research interests span participatory governance models, local government dynamics, and the design of public services. She has pioneered experimental methods to study civic behavior, including field experiments on volunteering and policy impact. Key themes include co-production in research and policy, accountability in public services, and the role of community engagement.

Richardson’s recent work examines the hidden politics of collaborative research and the challenges of decentralizing decision-making. She has authored over 40 peer-reviewed articles, including influential studies on co-production theory, community control in housing, and the effectiveness of policy nudges. Her research frequently intersects with practical policy implementation, emphasizing real-world applications.

Notable impacts include shaping policy frameworks for community engagement and informing strategies to enhance civic participation. She has supervised five postgraduate students and collaborates internationally on projects related to urban governance and public service innovation.