Professor Liz Sharp

School of Geography and Planning

Professor of Water and Planning

Liz Sharp
Profile picture of Liz Sharp
l.sharp@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 6941

Full contact details

Professor Liz Sharp
School of Geography and Planning
Room D23
Geography and Planning Building
Winter Street
Sheffield
S3 7ND
Profile

I am an environmental social scientist supporting practical improvements in our environment.

My background is Geography, Planning, Environmental Consultancy and Environmental Science.

My research career has spanned a number of local issues including water supply, waste and flooding.  I am interested in the interactions between the public and organisations taking formal environmental governance responsibilities like local government and water companies.  In my research I partner with engineers and landscape specialists, among others.

My teaching supports students in exploring and supporting changes in environmental action and policy. 

I studied in Cambridge and Sheffield and have worked in Birmingham, Bradford and Sheffield.

Research interests

I focus on the governance of the environment, and specifically the processes through which the public are engaged (or not) in making and implementing environmental policy. The two central research questions that my research addresses are:

What new patterns of water governance are emerging, and how do they serve the sustainability goals of adaptation to climate change and effective public engagement?
How can interpretive research collaborate with more traditional approaches to science and water practice in driving forward new patterns of water governance?

The main empirical focus for my work is water policy including water supply and demand, water in the landscape, and flooding. Some elements of my work have also looked at waste and energy policy.

Current and Recent Research Projects

  • Mobilising Adaptation: Governance of Infrastructure through Coproduction (MAGIC) (Natural Environment Research Council)
  •  (Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council)
  •  (Economic & Social Research Council)
  •  (European Commission - Framework 7)
  • ) (INTERREG)
Publications

Books

  • Sharp L (2017) . Routledge.

Journal articles

  • Schellart A, Sharp L, Bertrand-Krajewski J-L, Rieckermann J, Anta J, Blumensaat F, Clemens-Meyer F, Dittmer U, Douterelo I, Gruber G , Jensen H et al (2025) . Water Science & Technology, 92(3), 409-425.
  • Sefton C, Sharp L, Quinn R, Stovin V & Pitcher L (2022) . Climate Risk Management, 35.
  • Willems J, Kenyon A, Sharp L & Molenveld A (2020) . Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, 23(1), 84-96.
  • Connelly S, Bryant M & Sharp L (2020) . Planning Theory & Practice, 21(3), 392-409.
  • Watson M, Browne A, Evans D, Foden M, Hoolohan C & Sharp L (2020) . Global Environmental Change, 62, ---.
  • Foden M, Browne A, Evans D, Sharp L & Watson M (2019) . Geographical Journal, 185(4), 406-418.
  • Westling EL, Sharp L, Scott D, Tait S, Rychlewski M & Ashley RM (2019) . Global Environmental Change, 57.
  • Sharp L, Macrorie R & Turner A (2015) . Global Environmental Change, 34, 196-206.
  • Westling EL, Surridge BWJ, Sharp L & Lerner DN (2014) . Journal of Hydrology, 519, 2613-2623.
  • Westling EL, Sharp L, Rychlewski M & Carrozza C (2014) . Critical Policy Studies.
  • Tukur A, Sharp L, Stern B, Tizaoui C & Benkreira H (2012) . Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 14(4), 1237-1237.
  • Sharp L, McDonald A, Sim P, Knamiller C, Sefton C & Wong S (2011) . Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 36(4), 501-515.
  • Salehi FA, Sharp L, Abdoli MA, Cotton DE & Rezapour K (2010) The necessity of biomass application for developing combined heat and power (CHP) with biogas fuel: Case study. World Academy of Science Engineering and Technology, 66, 505-510.
  • Hopkinson P, Sharp L, Miles SL & Boyes LC (2009) . Planet, 22(1), 34-38.
  • Wong S & Sharp L (2009) . Environmental Politics, 18(1), 37-57.
  • Westling E, Lerner DN & Sharp E (2009) . Journal of Environmental Management, 91(2), 411-419.
  • Knamiller C & Sharp L (2009) . Water Supply, 9(3), 311-319.
  • Thatcher J & Sharp L (2008) . Local Environment, 13(3), 253-270.
  • Dixon J & Sharp L (2007) . Interdisciplinary Science Reviews, 32(3), 221-232.
  • Sharp L (2006) . Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 49(6), 869-889.
  • Brown RR, Sharp L & Ashley RM (2006) . Water Science and Technology, 54(6-7), 415-422.
  • Sharp L & Luckin D (2006) . Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 47(3), 277-294.
  • Luckin D (2005) . Community Development Journal, 40(1), 62-75.
  • Luckin D & Sharp L (2004) . Urban Studies, 41(8), 1485-1505.
  • Sharp L (2002) . Local Environment, 7(1), 7-22.
  • Sharp L & Richardson T (2001) . Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, 3(3), 193-209.
  • Sharp L (1999) . Environmental Politics, 8(4), 137-159.
  • Sharp E (1998) . Planning Practice & Research, 13(1), 81-89.
  • Campbell H, Masser I, Poxon J & Sharp L (1994) Monitoring the take up of GIS: the local authority scene. Monitoring the Take Up of GIS the Local Authority Scene.

Book chapters

  • Garry F, O’Hare P, Scannell C, Ashton J, Davies M, Freeborough KA, Kennedy-Asser A, Macdonald N, Scott-Bottoms S & Sharp L (2023) In Dessai S, Lonsdale K, Lowe J & Harcourt R (Ed.), Quantifying Climate Risk and Building Resilience in the UK (pp. 63-74). Springer International Publishing
  • Ajia FO, Wagstaff T & Sharp L (2021) In Morris-Iveson L & Day SJ (Ed.), Resilience of Water Supply in Practice: Experiences from the Frontline (pp. 59-80). IWA Publishing
  • Westling E & Sharp L (2018) Both critical and applied? Action research and transformative change in the UK water sector In Bartels K & Wittmayer J (Ed.), Action Research in Policy Analysis: Critical and Relational Approaches to Sustainability Transitions Routledge
  • Sharp L (2017) WATER QUALITIES, RECONNECTING PEOPLE AND WATER: PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT (pp. 105-127).
  • Sharp L (2017) WATER OUT OF PLACE, RECONNECTING PEOPLE AND WATER: PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT (pp. 128-151).
  • Sharp L (2017) WATER IN THE LANDSCAPE, RECONNECTING PEOPLE AND WATER: PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT (pp. 163-184).
  • Sharp L (2017) WATER IN THE HOME Learning from the past, RECONNECTING PEOPLE AND WATER: PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT (pp. 65-78).
  • Sharp L (2017) VISIONS FOR WATER MANAGEMENT, RECONNECTING PEOPLE AND WATER: PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT (pp. 1-24).
  • Sharp L (2017) URBAN WATER USE IN CONTEXT, RECONNECTING PEOPLE AND WATER: PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT (pp. 25-40).
  • Sharp L (2017) UNDERSTANDING WATER PRACTICES AND MOBILISING CHANGE, RECONNECTING PEOPLE AND WATER: PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT (pp. 79-104).
  • Sharp L (2017) THE GOVERNANCE OF WATER SUPPLY AND DEMAND, RECONNECTING PEOPLE AND WATER: PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT (pp. 41-64).
  • Sharp L (2017) RECONNECTING PEOPLE AND WATER Public Engagement and Sustainable Urban Water Management INTRODUCTION, RECONNECTING PEOPLE AND WATER: PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT (pp. VIII-+).
  • Sharp L (2017) RECONNECTING PEOPLE AND WATER Public Engagement and Sustainable Urban Water Management CONCLUSION, RECONNECTING PEOPLE AND WATER: PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT (pp. 185-211).
  • Sharp L (2017) FLOOD RISK GOVERNANCE, RECONNECTING PEOPLE AND WATER: PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT (pp. 152-162).
  • Rauch W, Bach PM, Brown R, Rogers B, de Haan FJ, McCarthy DT, Kleidorfer M, Mair M, Sitzenfrei R, Urich C , Deletic A et al (2015) Enabling Change: Institutional Adaptation In Hulsman A, Betriebe G, Van Den Berg G, Racuch W, Jensen A, Popovych V, Mazzola M, Vamvakeridou-Lyroudia L & Savic D (Ed.), Climate Change, Water Supply and Sanitation: Risk Assessment, Management, Mitigation and Reduction (pp. 355-373). London: IWA Publishing.
  • Rychlewski M, Westling EL, Sharp L, Ashley R & Tait S (2015) Developing Adaptive Capacity in a Water Utility In Hulsman A, Betriebe G, Van Den Berg G, Racuch W, Jensen A, Popovych V, Mazzola M, Vamvakeridou-Lyroudia L & Savic D (Ed.), Climate Change, Water Supply and Sanitation: Risk Assessment, Management, Mitigation and Reduction (pp. 29-32). London: IWA Publishing.
  • Sharp L & Connelly S (2002) Theorising participation: pulling down the ladder In Rydin Y & Thornley A (Ed.), Planning in the UK London: Ashgate.
  • () In Glasner P, Atkinson P & Greenslade H (Ed.) Routledge

Conference proceedings

  • Knamiller C, Sefton C, Sharp LS & Medd W (2007) Water in everyday use: A study on water-using technologies and the water user in Essex. Proceedings of the Combined International Conference of Computing and Control for the Water Industry Ccwi2007 and Sustainable Urban Water Management Suwm2007 (pp 329-336)
  • Sefton CS & Sharp LS (2007) Why we should celebrate water: Recommendations for engaging the public in sustainable water management. Proceedings of the Combined International Conference of Computing and Control for the Water Industry Ccwi2007 and Sustainable Urban Water Management Suwm2007 (pp 681-688)
  • Kennedy SP, Lewis LA, Sharp LS & Wong S (2007) Sustainable Urban Water Management (SUWM) in urban regeneration projects. Proceedings of the Combined International Conference of Computing and Control for the Water Industry Ccwi2007 and Sustainable Urban Water Management Suwm2007 (pp 675-680)
  • Kenyon A, Willems J, Molenveld A & Sharp L () The governance of Blue Green infrastructure funding: a case study comparison from the UK and the Netherlands. IFoU 2018: Reframing Urban Resilience Implementation: Aligning Sustainability and Resilience, 10 December 2018 - 12 December 2018.
  • Kenyon A, Willems J, Molenveld A & Sharp L () . Proceedings of IFoU 2018: Reframing Urban Resilience Implementation: Aligning Sustainability and Resilience (pp 5975-5975)
  • Westling EL, Sharp L, McGuinness M & Alison B () Mobilising publics for resilient water management. Mobilising publics for resilient water management
  • Sharp L, Speight V, Tait S, Ashley R, Westling E & Rychlewski M () Social science to support water sensitive cities. IWA World Congress. Lisbon, Portugal, 22 September 2014 - 26 September 2014.
  • Blanksby JR, Ashley R, Shucksmith J, Sharp L, Tait S, Shaffer P & Stam JM () Water sensitive urban design in a European context. ACT: Engineers Australia, 2013: 209-219 (pp 209-219). Melbourne, 25 November 2013 - 29 November 2013.

Reports

  • Sharp L & Chapman K (2023)
  • Sharp L & Sefton C (2023)
  • Sharp L, Payne S, Walker L & Illman S (2023)
  • Sharp L, Sefton C, Hughes G, Chapman K & Quinn R (2023)
  • Choe EY, Kenyon A & Sharp L (2020) Designing blue green infrastructure (BGI) for water management, human health, and wellbeing : summary of evidence and principles for design
  • Hoolohan C, Browne A, Evans D, Foden M, Sharp L & Watson M (2018) Change Points: A toolkit for designing interventions that unlock unsustainable practices
  • Foden M, Browne A, Evans D, Sharp L & Watson M (2017)
  • Foden M, Browne A, Evans D, Sharp L & Watson M (2017)
  • Watson M, Foden M, Browne A, Evans D & Sharp L (2017)
  • Watson M, Browne A, Evans D, Foden M & Sharp L (2017) Final report for the Reshaping the Domestic Nexus project
  • Watson M, Browne A, Evans D, Jackson P, Sharp L, Southerton D & Warde A (2016) The Domestic Nexus: interrogating the interlinked practices of water, energy and food consumption

Preprints

  • Sharp L, Macrorie RM & Turner A (2015) Resource efficiency and the imagined public: insights from cultural theory.
Research group

PhD supervision

I am supervisor for the following PhD students:
 
  • Rong Zheng, Children’s place attachment to outdoor spaces in urban China
  • Monica Grau-Martin, TInkering with water in Nairobi

I welcome applications from students interested in PhD research relating to:

  • water management policies and practices in the UK or in other developed countries (with a particular focus on whether and how sustainability is defined, developed or promoted)
  • the processes and experiences of innovation and knowledge development in water management (with a particular focus on how co-operation is achieved between academic disciplines, and how academia and practice interact).
Teaching activities

My role as a teacher is to support students in learning how to access information and to think critically about environmental topics.

My classes are conceived as a forum in which students can develop, support and interrogate their understandings and opinions. I teach on the following modules:

  • , The Environmental Challenge
  • , European Fieldclass
  • , Environmental Policy and Planning