Welcome

This is the website and blog of Dr John Lever.

Research

I am an interdisciplinary social scientist with a background in sociology, human geography and latterly management. Before moving to the University of Huddersfield, I worked in the School of Geography and Planning at Cardiff University and at Cities Research Centre at UWE: Bristol.

During this period there have been two broad themes to my research: 1) Sustainable Communities and 2) Sustainable Food Systems. My current research interests revolve around 1) place-based food systems and the circular economy, and; 2) the role of food entrepreneurs in ethnic and religious food markets. The overarching aim of my research is provide business compliance guidance and public policy advice.

Current and past research projects:
  • 2020-current: A safe and just local food system (University of Huddersfield)
  • 2019-current: A Better Future - Understanding Refugee Entrepreneurship (BFURE) (BA/Leverhulme)
  • 2019-current: Visualising a more sustainable sense of place in Kirklees (Academy of Marketing).
  • 2017-current: Sharing the burden of supermarket food waste: towards sustainability and a circular economy? (University of Huddersfield Business School)
  • 2016-17: Kosher and halal food markets in the UK and Denmark (self-funded)
  • 2018-current: 'Sounding out Refugees’ Stories: Music, Entrepreneurship and De-stigmatisation in Jordan (University of Huddersfield)
  • 2016-17: An investigation of Syrian refugee entrepreneurship in Jordan (supported by Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development)
  • 2016-17: Comparing Halal requirements in the UK and the UAE (Dubai Accreditation Centre, UAE)
  • 2015-16: Comoodle and the Collaborative/Sharing Economy (Kirklees Council)
  • 2014-15 The Future of Local Food in Kirklees (Kirklees Public Health & University of Huddersfield Business School)
  • 2013: Migrant Workers in Rural Wales and the South Wales Valleys (European Commission/ Welsh Government)
  • 2012: Destitution in the UK Asylum System (in Bradford) (Destitution Concern Bradford)
  • 2011: Multi Agency Work and Roma children in Education (BHA for Equality in Health and Social Care, Manchester)
  • 2010: Assessing 2010 European Year for Combatting Poverty and Social Exclusion (Institute of Volunteering Research on behalf of the Office for Civil Society)

I also worked on: