James Robson appointed Chief Scientific Advisor for Local Policy Lab

The Local Policy Lab is an alliance between the University of Oxford, Oxford Brookes University and Oxfordshire County Council, which promotes partnerships between academia, community, and government to inform policy and improve quality of life for Oxfordshire residents.

Dr James Robson, Director of the Centre on Skills, Knowledge and Organisational Performance (SKOPE), will lead on delivering a skilled workforce and fair employment in Oxfordshire by working in close collaboration with policy-makers, practitioners and communities over the next three years.

He said: “Ensuring people have the skills they need to flourish in their careers and supporting employers to develop meaningful, skilled employment opportunities are essential to both healthy communities and a strong economy. I’m delighted to join the Local Policy Lab as Chief Scientific Advisor to lead work in this area and to be part of such an innovative approach to place-based policy making.”

Associate Professor James Robson (Department of Education), Dr Joanna Crocker (Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences) and Associate Professor Jonathan Reid (Oxford Brooked University) will each be responsible for leading and delivering an ambitious three-year research plan.

Dr Martin Reeves, Chief Executive, Oxfordshire County Council said: “We are hugely excited to welcome James, Joanna and Jonathan as our first Chief Scientific Advisors. Oxfordshire County Council is building a culture where research is everyone’s business and today’s CSA appointments reflect our ongoing commitment to using robust evidence and innovative thinking to make Oxfordshire a greener, fairer, and healthier county.”

James Robson is Associate Professor of Tertiary Education Systems at the University of Oxford’s Department of Education, Director of Research and Director of the Centre on Skills, Knowledge and Organisational Performance (SKOPE). His research explores the political economy of tertiary education and how education systems can connect with employment, respond to skills demand, support innovation ecosystems, and advance social justice.