Our work analyses the scale of the challenge facing the West Midlands in order to close its output gap with the English average.
We aim to inform policy makers as to where best to target their efforts in relation to the topics of low carbon economy and transport. We work closely with experts and policy makers in both areas to shape our work and make it as valuable as possible to the region.
Meet the team
John Walker
Senior Research Analyst
Email john.walker@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3246
Key contact for The Marches.
John leads the Low Carbon & Transport Team and is the Observatory's key contact for The Marches. John has a background in rural, environmental and economic development issues.
Susana Flores 
Research Analyst
Email susana.flores@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3283
Susana is the key contact for Walsall and Wolverhampton.
Susana delivers analysis and data interpretation to support regional policy in the areas of transport and low carbon.Her previous experience includes socioeconomic research and public policy design. Susana has an MBA from Cranfield University (UK) and a BA in Economics from Universidad Panamericana (Mexico).
Naomi Winchurch 
Research Assistant
Email naomi.winchurch@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3243
Key contact for Instant Atlas
Naomi supports the team by sourcing data for datasets, presenting data in tables and charts, and assisting with analysis of data and commentary. She also administers the Observatory's research enquiries service. Naomi graduated from the University of Sheffield in July 2003 with a BA (Hons) in Sociology.
Low carbon
Since summer 2008, Advantage West Midlands and the West Midlands Regional Observatory have been working together on a three year programme that will enable the region to develop a stronger and more coherent evidence base around the low carbon economy.
This programme of work is designed to:
- Monitor the region's performance as it tries to develop a low carbon economy
- Identify the opportunities that a low carbon economy can offer
- Consider the impact that policy interventions will have in the region
The first year's findings highlight that even though the region has made progress in delivering a low carbon economy, with improvement shown against several low carbon indicators, more still needs to be done.
When comparing the West Midlands with the rest of the English regions, its ranking is typically between fourth and sixth position amongst all English regions.
The research delivered during the first year of the programme is available on our environment, transport and low carbon research pages.
Transport in the West Midlands
Improving transport and communications to increase accessibility, efficiency and competitiveness should allow the West Midlands to meet the challenge of enabling business and people to access markets, opportunities, jobs and services.
This will mean making the best use of existing networks, increasing the availability of public transport, for example, and maximising the use of technology and new infrastructure where required and appropriate.
Our three year research programme will utilise all available tools to help quantify the benefits transport can have in improving the output of the West Midlands. Our work will also assess the impact that transport weaknesses have.
Our work will look beyond the straightforward economic impact of the individual schemes and consider the additional benefits provided by improvements in the transport system.