Dr. Jonathan Hopkins

Research Scientist
Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences
T: +44 (0)1224 395312
Jonathan is a geographer working within the SEGS Department at the James Hutton Institute. He is a member of the Changes in People-Place Relationships group and his recent research has focused on the measurement and understanding of social, economic and demographic change and the spatial diversity of rural areas, often through the analysis of open and secondary datasets and surveys. More specifically, Jonathan's work has covered topics such as inclusive growth; wellbeing; the opportunities and challenges faced by sparsely populated, island and mountain regions; adaptation in the land based sector; and rural development assets. He is an experienced quantitative analyst who has collaborated with researchers from multiple disciplines, and has co-developed research with stakeholders to deliver policy-relevant and impactful analysis.

Biography

Jonathan’s MSc and PhD research at Durham University were on projects within the subject areas of physical geography (fluvial processes and sediment transport) and natural hazards (flooding, including risk perceptions and responses to flash flooding). He joined the James Hutton Institute in 2013 and has worked as a Research Scientist since 2017. Additionally, he is currently a member of the Institute’s Research Ethics Committee.

Research

  • Jonathan leads the project “Informing a socially and spatially just future for the Scottish rural economy: Pinpointing opportunities, assets and support needs” within the Scottish Government’s Strategic Research Programme (2022-27)
  • Researcher: “Realising change: working with communities to inform a resilient recovery process in remote, rural and island communities” (Scottish Government Strategic Research Programme (2022-27))
  • Scotland-based project leader on “Tracking rural vibrancy and loss: the role of rural schools as keystone services” (funder: Royal Society of Edinburgh).
  • Co-lead: “Provision of Scottish Islands Survey 2023” (funder: Scottish Government).
  • Researcher: “Giving Rural Actors Novel Data and Re-Usable Tools to Lead Public Action in Rural Areas” (funder: EU Horizon Europe).
  • Supervisor: Kirsten Clarke (PhD, CCRI, University of Gloucestershire)

Past research

Jonathan’s past research has included contributions to a number of long-term and short-duration research projects for multiple funders, including the Scottish Government and European Union. He has also led research funded by the SEFARI Gateway Responsive Opportunity Initiative (“ToWards Inclusive Growth”) and the Macaulay Development Trust.

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