Manchester expert appointed as Chair of UK2070 Commission

06 Sep 2024

Professor Cecilia Wong takes up new post at independent inquiry into city and regional inequalities in the United Kingdom

The UK2070 Commission – an independent inquiry into city and regional inequalities in the United Kingdom – has announced the appointment of Professor Cecilia Wong as its new Chair.

Professor Wong brings a wealth of expertise and an exceptional track record in urban and regional development to the prestigious role.

She is Professor of Spatial Planning and Co-Director of Policy@Manchester, a Fellow of both the Academy of Social Sciences and the Royal Town Planning Institute and has served different assessment roles for the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), including as the Chair of the Research Approvals and Data Acquisition Committees of the Urban Big Data Centre and the UK Research Excellence Framework assessments.

She has also worked closely with various UK government bodies, the ESRC, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the Homes and Communities Agency, and the Lyons Independent Housing Review. Her advisory roles to the European Commission on the Urban Audit II and to UN-Habitat on the City Prosperity Index underscore her global influence and commitment to sustainable urban development.

Currently, Professor Wong is engaged in a five-year UK Preventive Research Partnership funded project of tackling the root cause of health inequalities and urban planning decision-making. She was also the Principal Investigator of a joint ESRC and the China Natural Science Foundation project on eco-urbanisation, promoting sustainable development. Her work continues to shape policies and practices, driving forward the agenda of creating sustainable, prosperous urban environments.

Professor Wong's appointment as Chair of the UK2070 Commission marks a significant milestone for the organisation. Her leadership and vision are expected to further the Commission’s goals of addressing regional inequalities and promoting a more balanced and equitable development across the UK.

Professor Wong commented: "I am honoured to take on the role of Chair of the UK2070 Commission. I look forward to working with my commissioners to tackle the pressing issues of regional disparities and to drive forward sustainable and inclusive growth across the UK."

The Commission says it looks forward to the strategic direction and innovative approaches that Professor Wong will bring to the role, building on the Commission’s existing work and expanding its impact.