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Department of Geography

 

Professor Robert J Bennett MA PhD FBA

Director of Research, Emeritus Professor, and Emeritus Fellow of St. Catharine’s College

Analytical economic geography, business management and public policy: focusing on small businesses, agents of local economic development, and business associations.

Works with Cambridge Group for the History of Population and Social Structure (Campop)

Biography

Career

  • 1973-1978: Lecturer, University College London.
  • 1978: Visiting Professor, University of California Berkeley; Guest Scholar Brookings Institution, Washington D.C. (also in 1979, 1981, 1984)
  • 1978-1985: Lecturer, University of Cambridge.
  • 1984: International Fellow, Macquarie University, New South Wales.
  • 1985: US-UK International Fellow, Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota
  • 1989: University Fellow, George Mason University, Virginia.
  • 1985-1996: Professor of Geography London School of Economics.
  • 1996-2000: Leverhulme Research Professor, Department of Geography, University of Cambridge.
  • 1996-present: Senior Associate of the Judge Business School. Works with the Cambridge Centre of Business Research.
  • 1996-2010: Professor of Geography (1931), Department of Geography, University of Cambridge.
  • 2011-: Emeritus Professor of Geography, University of Cambridge; Emeritus Fellow, St. Catharine’s College. Works with the Cambridge Group for the History of Population and Social Structure (Campop)

Research

History of entrepreneurship, and SME policy

Entrepreneurs and small business: historical development and modern policy issues. Read more …

History of Chambers of Commerce

The history and current development of local Chambers of Commerce, and business services. Read more …

Local and Regional Economic Development: The Role of Institutions

Agencies and economic support for small business, skills, inward investment. Read more …

Publications

[Publications will load automatically from the University’s publication database.]

External activities

  • Advisor and consultant to organisations in the private and public sectors in the UK and Europe.
  • Has advised House of Commons Employment Committee and Scottish Affairs Committee, National Audit Office, Audit Commission, Local Government Association, CBI, British Chambers of Commerce, TEC National Council, and local development bodies, ACCA, Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE).
  • Chair of Research Committee, Council member, Vice President and officer, British Academy 2002-8.
  • Editorial Board International Small Business Journal