Mark Shucksmith is Professor of Planning at Newcastle University. He was formerly Professor of Land Economy and Director of the Arkleton Centre for Rural Development Research, University of Aberdeen.

During 2007-08 Mark is chairing the Committee of Inquiry on Crofting for the Scottish Government. He is First Vice-President of the International Rural Sociological Association from 2004-08 and was Programme Chair for the XI World Rural Sociology Congress in Norway in 2004.   

Mark is an expert on rural housing, social exclusion in rural areas and rural development. From 1997-2003 he was Programme Director for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation's Action in Rural Areas programme, and served during 2005-06 as a member of the Affordable Rural Housing Commission. 

Recent books include "CAP and the Regions" (2006), "Housing in the European Countryside" (2003), "Young People in Rural Europe" (2004) and "Exclusive Countryside?" (2000).

Declaration of Interests

Email Mark at info@ruralcommunities.gov.uk