Dr Kate Penney is a Research Fellow at the University of Manchester, specialising in qualitative, place‑based research. Her work sits at the intersection of academic research, policy, and practice. As Academic Lead for the Northwest Productivity Forum, Kate convenes academics, policymakers, business leaders and intermediaries, and regional stakeholders to develop research agendas that respond to regional challenges. Her research interests include devolution, institutions, public policy and the role of behaviours and power dynamics in place-based development.