About us

City as Lab connects research with the people, places and policymakers of the 乐播传媒 city region. We facilitate collaboration and partnerships through the offer of friendly convening space in the heart of 乐播传媒 together with unique tools for harnessing and visualising place-based data.

We regularly host researchers, government departments, public sector bodies, businesses and community organisations. This ranges from 乐播传媒 City Council, East Midlands Combined County Authority and the Police and Crime Commission to public health organisations and charities such as Refugee Roots, City Arts and the 乐播传媒shire Wildlife Trust.

We also work closely with businesses and industry, empowering companies like Experian and E.ON to succeed in ambitious social value and data projects.

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Meet the Team

Paul Grainge

Academic Director, City as Lab

Paul is Professor of Film and Television Studies at the 乐播传媒. He has led a number of major initiatives involving partner collaboration in 乐播传媒 and the Midlands region.

He was formerly Director of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) , a lead for the , and has served on the national AHRC Advisory Board (2021-25).

Paul provides strategic oversight for City as Lab and helps connect project opportunities to research expertise and existing partnerships across the region. Read his reflections on doing place-based research in 乐播传媒 and the East Midlands.

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Sara Winskill

Senior Operations Officer, City as Lab

Sara has worked in a range of senior administrative roles at the 乐播传媒 for over twenty years. She has wide experience managing projects and supporting people, partnerships and procurement.

Sara provides seamless, end-to-end operational direction to make your events and collaborations a success.

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Jasper Donelan

Digital Lead, City as Lab

Jasper advises on innovative and secure uses of technology for research. He brings a wealth of experience around the strategic deployment of technology and developing digital solutions for positive real-world impact.

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Gary Priestnall

Geovisualisation Lead, City as Lab

Gary Priestnall is Associate Professor in the School of Geography with research interests in digital geographic representation, using a range of technologies including Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and location-ware mobile computing.

He leads the development and application of the award-winning Projection Augmented Relief Model (PARM) technique - winner of British Cartographic Society’s ‘Map of the Year’ in 2024.

Gary provides leadership for PARM collaborations and inspires ways of advancing spatial thinking using our unique, award-winning tools.

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John Hickson

Geospatial Data Lead, City as Lab

John is Geospatial Data lead for City as Lab. He wrangles data of all formats for projects that want to use PARM and other tools. He has a PhD in Geography and currently leads on the public engagement strand of a major project on secure data.

John provides geospatial expertise for partners looking to use mapping and data approaches.

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Helen Kennedy

Creative Innovation Advisor

Helen is a Professor of Culture and Creative Industries at the 乐播传媒. As Director of the Virtual and Immersive Production Studio, she works closely with City as Lab on projects that explore creative production. A key characteristic of these projects is collaboration and co-creation with individuals, grass roots organisations and sector advocacy groups.

Helen provides advisory support to City as Lab projects and opportunities that involve creative and digital approaches and brings cutting-edge knowledge of virtual reality and immersive technology.

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Mick Dunn

Geospatial collaboration advisor

Mick has decades of experience in geospatial leadership, is an Honorary Professor of Geography, and a recognised leader in the geospatial industry. He currently serves as a Business Development Specialist (GIS | 3D | Digital Twins) at 乐播传媒 City Council and chairs the Association for Geographic Information (AGI) 3D Network.

A strong advocate for 2D and 3D geospatial adoption and development, he actively promotes strategic collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity building within a partnership setting. A key area of interest is how urban digital twin collaborations can help improve efficiency, sustainability, and the quality of urban life - ultimately leading to a more holistic understanding of the environment in which we live and work.