Crook Public Service Fellowships

The Crook Public Service Fellowships at the University of Sheffield provide opportunities for future leaders in public and not-for-profit sectors to immerse themselves in a collaborative project on a pressing policy issue or challenge – taking short periods away from their day job.

About our fellowships

Established by Emeritus Professor ADH Crook, the Crook Public Service Fellowships at the University of Sheffield provide opportunities for future leaders in public and not-for-profit sectors to immerse themselves in a collaborative project on a pressing policy issue or challenge – taking short periods away from their day job.

The Crook Public Service Fellowships focus on a particular theme that aligns with the strategic priorities and academic strengths of the University. 

Find out more

A child consoling themselves into a pillow

Disability and disadvantage: unseen and unheard in a global crisis

Understanding just how haphazardly disadvantaged communities are represented at the heart of public policy in the UK.

Read the news story

Cohorts

London Bridge at dusk

Rebalancing the UK economy

On our latest cohort, fellows are working on the four key themes of the UK2070 Agenda for Action.

Our 2020 cohort

A group of people sit on a picnic bench; one of them is a wheelchair user.

Disability and disadvantage

Fellows worked with Sociology, Education, Law, Economics, Geography, Urban Studies and Planning, Architecture and Landscape, iHuman research centre, The School of Health and Related Research (ScHaRR) and The Medical School.

Disability and disadvantage cohort

A single parent holds the hand of their young child as they walk down the road.

Children's Chances

Fellows worked with the University's departments of Sociological Studies, Geography, Politics, Education, and Urban Studies and Planning.

Children's Chances cohort

A British housing estate.

The Housing Challenge

Fellows engaged with the University's Department of Urban Studies and Planning, the Urban Institute at Sheffield and other expertise across campus.

The Housing Challenge cohort

Image of woman protesting about democracy

Democracy

Fellows worked with The Crick Centre on the theme of democracy.

The Democracy cohort

Advisory group

The Crook Public Service Fellowships are overseen by a high-level Advisory Group including:

  • Stephen Aldridge, Director for Analysis and Data at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
  • Eamonn Boylan, Chief Executive Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)
  • Sir Stephen Bubb, Head, The Charity Futures Programme, ACEVO
  • Ms Jenny Dibden, Head, Government Social Research Service
  • Professor Anthony Crook, Emeritus Professor of Town and Regional Planning and former Senior Pro-Vice Chancellor, University of Sheffield
  • Ms Trudi Elliott, Chair, The Planning Inspectorate
  • Dr Emma Stone, Director of Design and Exploration, The Good Things Foundation
  • Professor Craig Watkins, Vice President and Head of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Sheffield (Chair)

We are grateful for the contributions of the late Lord Kerslake, Chair of Peabody and Be First and a member of the House of Lords, to the advisory panel.