Associate Head of School - Postgraduate Programmes
Â鶹´«Ã½ Business School (Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business)
Dr David Adkins is the Associate Head of School for Postgraduate Programmes at Â鶹´«Ã½ Business School. He spent his early career at sea before moving into shore-based commercial roles. Since joining the Â鶹´«Ã½, he has been teaching on the maritime business programmes.
To find out more about Dr Adkins’ research and work on regional development and the maritime industry, please contact him via email.
The factors behind why some regions prosper economically and others fail are diverse and complex. Once a major employer downsizes or ceases to operate, some regions are able to regenerate themselves, building on existing skills, expertise and infrastructure. Others seem to be stuck in permanent decline. Dr Adkins’s research examines the reasons behind these different outcomes. Here he shares his thoughts with specific reference to Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s economy.
I am interested in regional development from the perspective of the maritime industry. Â鶹´«Ã½ has a rich maritime heritage. Whilst it is home to the largest naval base in Western Europe, future plans to reduce the scale of the dockyard will impact both the city and regional economy. When the Royal Navy closed the air station on the Isle of Portland in 1999 the surrounding area suffered economic decline. This could happen here too, but we have the opportunity to learn the lessons from Portland’s experience and ensure Â鶹´«Ã½ does not experience the same economic pain.
Stimulating economic development so that sectors where there is existing expertise can continue to grow is one ingredient in a successful regional economy.
In and around Â鶹´«Ã½ there is expertise in the marine and maritime industries. Both are constantly evolving and exploring how existing workforce skills and expertise could be applied differently. Seafaring experience and
