Arno Van Der Zwet

Arno joined the University in 2017 as a Lecturer in Politics and Public Policy. He has previously worked as a research fellow at the European Policies Research Centre at the University of Strathclyde. Arno's research interests are territorial politics, regional policy, territorial cooperation and identity studies. He has conducted ESRC funded research as well as projects for European institutions such as the European Commission, European Parliament and ESPON. He has also conducted research for various national and regional governments (Scotland, Netherlands, Norway, Flanders) and organisations such as the Worldbank. 

In 2012 I finished my doctoral research at the University of Strathclyde which focused on issues in relation to territorial politics and territorial identity, specifically examining the different conceptions of territorial identities in stateless, national and regional parties and their linkages to attitudes towards European integration and immigration. Following the completion of my PhD I was awarded a prestigious ESRC research fellowship grant for a period of two years which allowed me to further develop this area of research. I have published various aspects of my doctoral research in international peer-reviewed journals and presented findings at international conferences.

In 2011 I was appointed a research fellow at the European Policies Research Centre (EPRC) at the University of Strathclyde which I held until my appointment at UWS in early 2017 (I continue to be a senior research associate at the EPRC). During this period I have developed an interest in territorial development policy in Europe. I have particularly conducted research in relation to European territorial cooperation policy and integrated, place-based policy approaches, often in an urban context.

I have extensive experience in terms of engaging with policy makers and stakeholders at the European, national, regional and local level. I have presented my research findings at European Parliament committee, European Commission, Committee of the Regions and Dutch, Flemish, Scottish and Norwegian governments.

I am currently the project leader for a large scale study on the implementation of territorial tools that are being carried out in the context of European Cohesion policy. The project is being funded by the European Commission and is carried out in collaboration with the European Policies Research Centre at the University of Strathclyde. The study encompasses all EU 28 member states and identifies the different implementation and governance approaches. The findings of the project will directly inform the post 2020 EU Cohesion policy regulatory framework. I am also involved in research that covers regional development policy in the Netherlands and Flanders. Lastly, I have been awarded a Regional Studies Association Research network grant which aims to organise a five workshops on the links between historical studies and regional development studies.

My future research ambitions are as follow:

• to develop regional and urban development research at UWS in order to further strengthen its international profile and inform teaching;

• to collaborate with colleagues to further develop research on territorial politics and identity, particularly in the context of Brexit and debates concerning Scottish independence.