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Staff Profile

Emeritus Professor Mike Coombes

Senior Research Investigator

  • Email: mike.coombes@ncl.ac.uk
  • Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 0102
  • Address: CURDS (Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies)
    Henry Daysh Building (HDB) 3.37
    Â鶹´«Ã½
    Â鶹´«Ã½ upon Tyne NE1 7RU
Background

Mike Coombes is now Emeritus Professor and a Senior Research Investigator, having been a researcher in CURDS since the 1970s. He had become by 1989 Principal Research Associate and then in 1998 - while still a contract researcher - Professor of Geographic Information. He was the Executive Director of CURDS for several years in the 2000s before retiring in 2017 and becoming an Emeritus Professor, then later being appointed Senior Research Investigator.

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Research

Research Interests

to summarise in keyword form: geographic variation in British people's life chances; local and regional analysis; definition of market and policy areas.

Mike's research interests include the definition of local labour market areas and functional regionalisation. His work aims to improve ways of analysing social and economic statistics so as to maximise the ‘intelligence’ they can provide to policy-makers and others. More specifically, Mike has led a series of projects for the UK government to define Travel to Work Areas (the only official boundaries which are defined by academics).

Publications

  • Articles

    • Martínez-Bernabéu L, Coombes M, Casado-Díaz J-M. . Journal of Transport Geography 2025, 128, 104631.
    • Casado-Díaz J-M, Coombes M, Martínez-Bernabéu L. . Geographical Analysis 2023, 55(4), 517-534.
    • Martínez-Bernabeu L, Coombes M, Casado-Díaz J-M. . Applied Spatial Analysis and Policy 2020, 13(3), 739–758.
    • Pike A, Coombes M, Kempton L, MacKinnon D, O'Brien P. . Town & Country Planning 2020, 89(11), 409-416.
    • Coombes M. . Built Environment 2019, 45(4), 476-492.
    • Marshall N, Dawley S, Pike A, Pollard J, Coombes M. . Journal of Economic Geography 2019, 19(5), 1143-1167.
    • Pike A, Coombes M, O'Brien P, Tomaney J. . Territory, Politics, Governance 2018, 6(1), 118-144.
    • Henry ND, Pollard JS, Sissons P, Ferreira J, Coombes M. . Environment and Planning A 2017, 49(9), 2046-2064.
    • Melo PC, Copus A, Coombes M. . Applied Spatial Analysis and Policy 2016, 9(1), 97-177.
    • Stuetzer M, Obschonka M, Audretsch D, Wyrwich M, Rentfrow P, Coombes M, Shaw-Taylor L, Satchell M. . European Economic Review 2016, 86, 52-72.
    • Gordon I, Champion T, Coombes M. . Environment and Planning A 2015, 47(3), 588-606.
    • Brown D, Champion T, Coombes M, Wymer C. . Journal of Rural Studies 2015, 41, 118-128.
    • Goddard J, Coombes M, Kempton L, Vallance P. . Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society 2014, 7(2), 307-325.
    • Champion T, Coombes M, Gordon I. . Population, Space and Place 2014, 20(5), 421-433.
    • Coombes M. . Urban Studies 2014, 51(11), 2426-2443.
    • Jones C, Coombes M. . Housing Studies 2013, 28(7), 993-1011.
    • Jones C, Coombes M, Dunse N, Watkins D, Wymer C. . Urban Studies 2012, 49(12), 2633-2650.
    • Jones C, Coombes M, Wong C. . Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design 2012, 39(3), 518-532.
    • Casado-Diaz J, Coombes M. . Boletín de la Geógrafos Españoles 2011, 57, 7-32.
    • Champion T, Coombes MG, Brown DL. . Regional Studies 2009, 43(10), 1245-1259.
    • Coombes MG. . Planning Practice and Research 2009, 24(2), 211-231.
    • Champion T, Coombes MG. . Journal of The Royal Statistical Society, Series A: Statistics in Society 2007, 170(2), 447-467.
    • Pike AJ, Bristow G, Coombes MG, Fan C, Gillespie AE, Harris RID, Hull AD, Marshall N, Wren CM. . Regional Studies 2007, 41(Supplement), 1-8.
    • Coombes MG, Champion T, Raybould SR. . Local Economy 2007, 22(4), 335-348.
    • Shortt N, Moore A, Coombes M, Wymer C. . Social Science & Medicine 2005, 60(12), 2715-2727.
    • Coombes MG, Raybould SR. . Area 2004, 36(2), 202-222.
    • Coombes MG, Raybould SR. . Environment and Planning C: Government & Policy 2001, 19(2), 223-248.
    • Coombes MG. . Research in Official Statistics 2001, 3, 77-88.
    • Coombes MG, Raybould SR. . European Research in Regional Science 2001, 11(1), 111-133.
    • Coombes MG, Raybould SR. . Transactions in GIS 2000, 4(4), 319-342.
    • Marshall JN, Willis RM, Coombes MG, Raybould SR, Richardson RGW. . Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers 2000, 25(3), 355-378.
    • Fotheringham AS, Champion T, Wymer C, Coombes MG. . International Journal of Population Geography 2000, 6(6), 391-421.
    • Coombes MG. . Environment and Planning A 2000, 32(8), 1499-1518.
    • Marshall JN, Richardson RGW, Raybould SR, Coombes MG. . Geoforum 1997, 28(3-4), 271-288.
    • Coombes MG, Raybould SR. . Environment and Planning A 1997, 29(4), 641-658.
    • Blackman T, Coombes M. . Journal of Applied Management Studies 1996, 5(2), 179-198.
    • Coombes M. . Area 1995, 27(1), 46-52.
    • Halliday J, Coombes MG. . Journal of Rural Studies 1995, 11(4), 433-446.
    • Coombes MG, Charlton ME. . Environment and Planning C: Government & Policy 1994, 12(1), 53-70.
    • Coombes M, Wong C. . Environment and Planning A 1994, 26(8), 1297-1316.
    • Coombes MG, Wong C, Charlton ME, Atkins DJ. . Environment and Planning B: Planning & Design 1994, 21(4), 489-504.
    • Gillespie AE, Coombes MG, Raybould SR. . Entrepreneurship & Regional Development 1994, 6(3), 201-217.
    • Coombes M, Saunders C, Raybould S. . Journal of Environmental Management 1993, 39(4), 271-280.
    • Raybould SR, Coombes MG. . Environment and Planning B: Planning & Design 1992, 19(2), 131-142.
    • Wong C, Coombes M, Raybould S. . Town Planning Review 1992, 62, 369-373.
    • Marshall JN, Gentle CJS, Raybould SR, Coombes MG. . Regional Studies 1992, 26(5), 453-467.
    • Coombes M, Hubbuck J. . Ethnic and Racial Studies 1992, 15(2), 193-213.
    • Coombes MG, Storey DJ, Watson R, Wynarczyk P. . Urban Studies 1991, 28(5), 723-734.
    • Gentle CJS, Marshall JN, Coombes MG. . Environment and Planning A 1991, 23(12), 1759-1777.
    • Rogerson RJ, Findlay AM, Morris AS, Coombes MG. . Environment and Planning A 1989, 21(12), 1655-1666.
    • Coombes MG, Green AE, Owen DW. . Regional Studies 1988, 22(4), 303-318.
    • Dalla Longa R, Coombes M. . Archivio di Studi Urbani e Regionali 1988, 32, 219-274.
    • Coombes M, Raybould S. . Built Environment 1988, 14, 107-117.
    • Owen DW, Green AE, Coombes MG. . Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers 1986, 11(3), 305-314.
    • Green AE, Coombes MG, Owen DW. . Geoforum 1986, 17(3-4), 339-351.
    • Coombes MG, Green AE, Openshaw S. . Journal of the Operational Research Society 1986, 37(10), 943-953.
    • Coombes MG, Green AE, Openshaw S. . Area 1985, 17(3), 213-219.
    • Coombes M, Green A, Openshaw S. . Employment Gazette 1985, 93, 6-8.
    • Owen DW, Gillespie AE, Coombes MG. . Regional Studies 1984, 18(6), 469-488.
    • Coombes MG, Openshaw S. . Regional Studies 1982, 16(2), 141-149.
    • Coombes MG, Dixon JS, Goddard JB, Openshaw S, Taylor PJ. . Environment and Planning A 1979, 11(5), 565-574.
    • Coombes MG, Dixon JS, Goddard JB, Openshaw S, Taylor PJ. . Environment and Planning A 1978, 10(10), 1179-1185.

  • Authored Books

    • Champion T, Coombes MG, Raybould SR, Wymer C. . Bristol: Policy Press, 2007.
    • Parkinson M, Champion T, Evans R, Simmie J, Turok I, Cookston M, Katz B, Park A, Berube A, Coombes MG, Dorling D, Glass N, Hutchins M, Kearns A, Martin R, Wood P. . London: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, 2006.
    • Coombes M, Raybould S, Wong C. Developing indicators to assess the potential for urban regeneration. London: HMSO, 1992. In Preparation.

  • Book Chapters

    • Coombes M, Champion T. . In: Stillwell, J, ed. The Routledge Handbook of Census Resources, Methods and Applications: Unlocking the UK 2011 Census. Abingdon: Routledge, 2018, pp.394-403.
    • Copus A, Coombes M. . In: F Holstein, S Zillmer and K Böhme, ed. Science in support of European Territorial Development and Cohesion. Luxembourg: ESPON, 2014, pp.132-138.
    • Champion T, Coombes M. . In: D. O'Donoghue, ed. Urban Transformations: Centres, Peripheries and Systems. Farnham: Ashgate, 2014, pp.73-80.
    • Pike A, Tomaney J, Coombes M, McCarthy A. . In: Bellini, N., Danson, M., Halkier, H, ed. Regional Development Agencies: The Next Generation? Networking, Knowledge and Regional Policies. London: Routledge, 2012, pp.102-121.
    • Coombes M, Champion T. . In: Pike, A., Rodríguez-Pose, A., Tomaney, J, ed. A Handbook of Local and Regional Development. London: Routledge, 2011, pp.182-192.
    • Champion T, Coombes M. . In: Stillwell, J., Duke-Williams, O., Dennett, A, ed. Technologies for migration and commuting analysis: spatial interaction data applications. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, 2010, pp.197-211.
    • Coombes M. . In: Stillwell, J., Duke-Williams, O., Dennett, A, ed. Technologies for migration and commuting analysis: spatial interaction data applications. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, 2010, pp.227-241.
    • Coombes M. . In: WMRO, ed. Refreshing the West Midlands evidence base: a state of the region thematic report. Birmingham: West Midlands Regional Observatory, 2009, pp.12-18.
    • Coombes MG. . In: Champion AG; Hugo G, ed. New Forms of Urbanization: Beyond the Urban-Rural Dichotomy. Aldershot: Ashgate, 2004, pp.307-324.
    • Coombes MG, Raybould SR. . In: Stillwell J; Clarke G, ed. Applied GIS and spatial analysis. Chichester: Wiley, 2003, pp.315-333.
    • Harris J, Dorling D, Owen D, Coombes MG, Wilson TJ. . In: Rees, P., Martin, D., Williamson, P, ed. The Census Data System. Chichester: Wiley, 2002, pp.67-82.
    • Coombes MG. Local labour markets as a basis for urban systems analysis: a critical review of British experience. In: Roca J, ed. Analisi dels Sistemes Urbans els Mercats de Treball Locals. Barcelona: Centre de Politica de Sol I Valoracions Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, 2001.
    • Coombes MG, Raybould SR. . In: Walker Janet, ed. Information Meetings and associated provisions within the Family Law Act 1996: Final evaluation report. London: Lord Chancellor's Department, 2001, pp.715-742.
    • McCarthy M, Dolton P, Barmby T, Coombes MG, Raybould SR. . In: Walker, J, ed. Information Meetings and associated provisions within the Family Law Act 1996: Final evaluation report. London: Lord Chancellor's Department, 2001, pp.99-127.
    • Coombes MG, Openshaw S. . In: Frank AU; Raper J; Cheylan J-P, ed. Life and Motion of Socio-economic Units. London: Taylor & Francis, 2001, pp.301-316.
    • Coombes MG, Wymer C. . In: Madanipour A; Hull A; Healey P, ed. The Governance of Place: space and planning processes. Aldershot: Ashgate, 2001, pp.51-68.

  • Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstracts)

    • Coombes M, Martinez-Bernabeau L, Casado-Díaz J-M. . In: Conference on City Statistics. 2024, Brussels, Belgium: International Association for Official Statistics – IAOS.
    • Coombes M. . In: 14th European Forum for Geography and Statistics. 2021, virtual: German Federal Statistics Office.
    • Coombes M, Bates A. . In: 12th European Forum for Geography and Statistics. 2019, Manchester, UK: European Forum for Geography and Statistics.
    • Coombes M, CasadoDiaz JM, MartinezBernabeu L, Wymer C. . In: SCORUS 2018: New Scale, New Needs, New Statistics. 2018, Warsaw, Poland: Standing Committee of Regional and Urban Statistics (SCORUS) & Statistics Poland.
    • Coombes M. . In: Labour Market Areas: current development and future use. 2017, Rome: Eurostat.
    • Champion T, Coombes M. . In: RSAIBIS Annual Meeting. 2006, Jersey.
    • Coombes M, Raybould S. . In: Annual Meeting of the RGS-IBG: Surfaces in Geography. 2000, University of Sussex, England: Transactions in GIS: Wiley-Blackwell.
    • Coombes MG. . In: Research for Policy 98: The Government's New Agenda for Local Authorities and New Research. 1998, University of Wales, Swansea: LARIA.

  • Editorials

    • Pike A, Coombes M, Bristow G, Fan C, Gillespie A, Harris R, Hull A, Marshall N, Wren C. . Regional Studies 2008, 42(10), 1291-1294.
    • Pike AJ, Coombes MG, Gillespie AE, Harris RID, Hull AD, Kwan MP, Leichenko R, Marshall N, Wren CM, Roper S, Hassink R, Glasmeier A, Wray S. . Regional Studies 2006, 40(1), 1-2.

  • Notes

    • Lewis DJ, Eversley D, Robson BT, Cross DFW, Coombes MG, Cheshire PC, Lawton R, Keebles D, Fielding AJ, Champion AG. . Geographical Journal 1989, 155(1), 75-80.
    • Green AE, Coombes MG. . Regional Studies 1985, 19(3), 268-273.

  • Online Publication

    • Charles DR, Bradley DP, Chatterton P, Coombes MG, Gillespie AE. . Â鶹´«Ã½ upon Tyne: Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies, 1999.

  • Reports

    • Pike A, Coombes M, Kempton L, Mackinnon D, O'Brien P. . http://uk2070.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/PIKE-Final-Submission-UK2070-Commission.pdf: UK2070 Commission, 2020. UK2070 Commission Think Pieces.
    • Pike A, Mackinnon D, Coombes M, Champion T, Bradley D, Cumbers A, Robson L, Wymer C. . York, UK: Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2016.
    • Coombes M, Bradley D. . Centre for Urban & Regional Development Studies, 2016.
    • Henry N, Sissons P, Coombes M, Ferreira J, Pollard JS. . London: Community Development Foundation, 2014.
    • Bradley DP, Bradley J, Coombes M, Grove L, Thomas S, Young C. . London, UK: English Heritage, 2012. English Heritage Research Paper.
    • Coombes M, Casado-Díaz JM, Martínez-Bernabeu L, Carausu F. . Luxembourg: Eurostat, 2012.
    • Experian PLC, Coombes M, Parkinson M, Simmie J. . London: Communities and Local Government, 2011.
    • Smith R, Craig P, Coombes M. . Birmingham: GHK, 2011.
    • Mason P, Lloyd R, Rayment M, White A, Jackson O, Coombes M, Young C. . London: Department for Education, 2011. Deptartment for Education Research Reports RR152.
    • Bradley DP, Coombes M, Bradley J, Tranos E. . London, UK: English Heritage, 2011. English Heritage Research Report.
    • Jones C, Coombes M, Wong C. . London: Communities and Local Government, 2010. 1775475.
    • CLG SAU, Coombes M. . London: Communities and Local Government, 2010. 1469713.
    • Walker J, Thompson C, Wilson G, Laing K, Coombes M, Raybould S. . London: Youth Justice Board (YJB), 2010. Youth Justice Board (YJB) Research Reports D123.
    • Coombes M. . Â鶹´«Ã½ upon Tyne: The Northern Way, 2010. Drivers & Assets Papers 796.
    • Coombes M, Wymer C. . London: Communities and Local Government, 2010. 1775475.
    • Bradley DP, Coombes M, Bradley J, Tranos E. . London: English Heritage, 2009. Heritage Counts.
    • Walker J, Donaldson C, Laing K, Pennington M, Wilson G, Procter S, Bradley D, Dickinson H, Gray J. . London, UK: Department of Children, Schools and Families, 2009. DCSF Research Reports RR143.
    • Walker J, Donaldson C, Laing K, Pennington M, Wilson G, Proctor S, Bradley D, Dickinson H, Gray J, Thompson C, Coombes M. . London: Department for Children, Schools and Families, 2009. Research Report RR143.
    • Coombes MG, Bond S. . London: Office for National Statistics, 2008.
    • Conway CC, Coombes MG, Dixon L, Bradley Research and Consulting. . 2008.
    • Walker J, Thompson C, Laing K, Raybould S, Coombes M, Procter S, Wren C. . London: Department for Children, Schools and Families, 2007. DCSF-RW018.
    • Walker J, McCarthy P, Laing K, Melville A, Coombes MG, Raybould SR, Finch S, Kitchen S, Wood N, Bridge C, Richards M, Sclater Day S, Webber P. . London: Legal Services Commission, 2007.
    • Coombes MG, Raybould SR, Wren CM. . Â鶹´«Ã½ upon Tyne: Centre for Family Studies, Legal Services Commission, 2007.
    • Coombes MG, Champion T, Brown T, Raybould SR. . Nottingham: East Midlands Development Agency, 2007.
    • Henry N, Pike AJ, Tomaney J, O'Brien PE, Coombes MG, Conway C, Dawley SJ, Champion T. . Â鶹´«Ã½ upon Tyne: One North East, 2006. Research and Evaluation Reports.
    • CURDS, GHK. . Â鶹´«Ã½: One North East, 2006.
    • Pike AJ, Champion AG, Coombes MG, Humphrey L, Tomaney J. . London: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, 2006.
    • Coombes MG, Raybould SR, Wymer C. . Â鶹´«Ã½ upon Tyne: North East Regional Information Partnership, 2006.
    • Walker J, Laing KJC, Coombes MG, Raybould SR. . London: Legal Services Commission, 2006. Family Advice and Information Service Final Evaluation Report.
    • Harding A, Coombes MG, Jeffery C, Tomaney J. . London: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, 2006.
    • CURDS, GHK, in association with Land Use Consultants. . Glasgow: Scottish Enterprise, 2006.
    • Coombes MG, Charles DR, Raybould SR, Wymer C. . Nottingham: East Midland Development Agency, 2006.
    • Stenning AC, Champion AG, Conway CD, Coombes MG, Dawley SJ, Dixon E, Raybould SR, Richardson RGW. . London: Department for Communities and Local Government, 2006.
    • Robson B, Barr R, Lymperopoulou K, Rees J, Coombes MG. . London: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, 2006.
    • Coombes MG. . Â鶹´«Ã½ upon Tyne: The Northern Way, 2005. Tyne & Wear City Region Development Programme Technical Appendix.
    • Coombes MG, Raybould SR, Wymer C. . Â鶹´«Ã½ upon Tyne: CURDS, 2004. Final Report.
    • McCarthy P, Whitman J, Walker J, Coombes MG. . London: Department for Education and Skills, 2003. Research Report RR476.
    • McCarthy P, Whitman J, Walker J, Coombes MG. . London: Children and Young Persons' Unit, DfES, 2003. 476.
    • Coombes MG, Raybould SR. . Sunderland: Universities for the North East, 2003.
    • Alderman N, Coombes M, Raybould S. . London: Community Fund, 2003.
    • Coombes MG. . 2002. Report to the Office for National Statistics.
    • University Liverpool, University Â鶹´«Ã½, University Warwick. . London: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, 2002. Urban Research Summary 3 02HC0059/20.
    • Conway CD, Coombes MG, Raybould S. . Sunderland: Universities for the North East, 2002.
    • Birkbeck College, University Â鶹´«Ã½, University Sheffield. . London: Office for National Statistics, 2002.
    • Marshall JN, Willis RM, Raybould S, Richardson RGW, Coombes MG. . London: Building Societies Association, 2001.
    • Bevan MA, Cameron SJ, Coombes MG, Merridew T, Raybould SR. . Coventry: Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2001.
    • Alderman N, Coombes MG, Raybould SR. . London: Community Fund, 2001.
    • Coombes MG. . London: Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, 2000. 268.
    • Raybould SR, Coombes MG, Dodgeon B. . Â鶹´«Ã½ upon Tyne: Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies, 2000. Update 25.
    • Charles DR, Benneworth P, Bradley DP, Chatterton D, Coombes P, Cornford M, Gillespie J, Naylor A, Pike R, Tomaney J. . Â鶹´«Ã½, 1999. Final report to Leeds City Council.
    • Coombes M, Raybould S, Wong C, Openshaw S. . London: HMSO, 1995.
    • Coombes M, Openshaw S, Wymer C, Charlton M, Raybould S. . Luxembourg: Eurostat, 1992. Regional Statistics & Accounts E/LOC/20.
    • Amin A, Coombes MG, Gillespie AE, Goddard JB, Marshall JN, Smith IJ, Thwaites AT. . University of Â鶹´«Ã½ upon Tyne: CURDS, 1990.

  • Review

    • Coombes M, Openshaw S, Wong C, Raybould S. . Regional Studies 1993, 27(3), 280-286.