The Covid-19 pandemic could have long-term effects on where people in some occupations live and work, and on individuals' spending behaviour. These choices, as well as decisions by firms on what now constitutes the workplace, will have implications for UK cities and regional economic inequality. While the direct effects of the pandemic will likely amplify existing spatial inequality with already lagging areas falling further behind, a concurrent acceleration towards working, and spending, from home may also affect affluent cities and the extent to which they derive benefits from density. This project will use multiple data sources to map these trends and their impact on local economic performance, drawing out implications for the 'levelling up' agenda. It will produce research articles, policy briefings and public talks, with the overall aim of bringing evidence to bear on policy towards spatial inequality.

British Academy Mid-Career Fellowships are designed both to support talented individual researchers with excellent research proposals, and to promote public understanding of – and engagement with – subjects in the humanities and social sciences. The awards provide opportunities for scholars who have already established a significant track record as an excellent communicator and ‘champion’ in their field.

“As we (hopefully) exit the pandemic, it will be very interesting to see whether the lockdown will have long-lasting effects on where we live and work, and where we spend our money and socialise. What happens next could have a substantial impact on UK cities, towns and on more rural areas.” Helen Simpson, Professor of Economics