Michael Joseph Richardson

Michael Joseph Richardson is a Senior Lecturer in Human Geography at Newcastle University's School of Geography, Politics and Sociology. His work bridges social and environmental justice, focusing on masculinities, intergenerational relations, and postindustrial/postcolonial contexts. He has long-standing collaborations with the North East Young Dads and Lads Project and cultural institutions like Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.

• Education: BA, MA, and PhD in Human Geography from Newcastle University (2009, 2010, 2015)
• Current Roles: Geography Director of Undergraduate Recruitment and Admissions (2025–present), member of Social Justice Advisory Group
• Previous Roles: Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for Geography (2020–2022), ESRC Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership thematic pathway Director (2016–2019)

Research Interests: Richardson explores geographies of social/environmental justice through lenses of gender, intergenerationality, and postindustrial/postcolonial identities. His National Lottery Climate Action Fund project Birds, Bees, Bikes and Trees involves rooftop beekeeping and ecological education for young fathers. He also examines protest movements in Hong Kong and intergenerational dynamics in post-Brexit racial politics.

Article Trends: His recent work connects climate action with gender norms, critiques postindustrial marginalization, and redefines masculinities through care work. Projects like Postindustrial Pollination and Under Us All integrate urban ecology, verbatim theatre, and community co-design.

Scientific Awards:

• ESRC PhD funding
• Catherine Cookson Foundation grant for Postindustrial Pollination
• ESRC Impact Accelerator Account
• Arts Council England funding
• National Lottery Climate Action Fund

Advising & Grants: Richardson supervises five PhD students and has led multi-partner grants exceeding £500,000. His Father Unknown play (2023) and digital storytelling app with Seven Stories highlight creative engagement with young men.

Labs & Teams: He collaborates with Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art (including managing rooftop beehives), The Farrell Centre (landscape architects), Northern Stage, and Newcastle Stands with Hong Kong. His work emphasizes co-creation with arts/cultural sectors and community stakeholders.