Dr Gemma Burgess is Director of the Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research in the Department of Land Economy at the University of Cambridge. She leads a multidisciplinary team working on policy-oriented research projects for a broad range of funders. Widely published, Gemma’s research interests include land supply and the delivery of housing through the planning system, housing and digital innovation, digital exclusion, and housing options for an ageing population.

As a co-investigator for the Construction Innovation Hub grant, Gemma led work on the non-technical barriers that can inhibit the take up of innovation in construction, research on boosting the uptake of offsite and modular house building, and research exploring the governance of smart city projects. She is currently leading the research team as part of the Technology for our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation (TAPPI) project which aims to improve the way technology is used in housing and care for older people. She is also leading research on the role modular housing can play in tackling homelessness and mapping UK provision of hostel accommodation.

Dr Burgess is Vice-Master of St Edmund's College, also serving as Dean of Discipline and Steward, alongside being a Director of Studies in Land Economy and sitting on College Council. Dr Burgess served as part of the University’s Proctorial team from 2016 to 2021 and will be a Deputy Proctor again in 2022/23.

Housing supply and affordability, the planning system, planning obligations, housebuilding, housing for an ageing population, housing tenure, homelessness, alternative housing models, digital innovation, digital inclusion, smart cities, offsite construction, modular housing

Ehwi, R.J., Holmes, H., & Burgess, G. (under review) ‘Shaping Smart Cities: Problem framing, vertical selection and governance in UK Smart Cities, Urban Geography

Ehwi, R.J., Holmes, H., Maslova, S. & Burgess, G. (under review)’ Towards a co-creative form stakeholder engagement in Smart City projects. Urban Affairs Review

Ehwi, R.J., Maslova, S., Burgess, G (under review) ‘Examining the Approaches for Estimating the Size of the Self-Build and Custom-housebuilding in the UK’ Land Use Policy

Ehwi, R.J, Oti-Sarpong, K., Burgess, G., Lenhard, J. and Meng, E. (under review) Modular homes for people experiencing homelessness: A new approach to tackling homelessness in Cambridge, England. Human Ecology.

Oti-Sarpong, K. and Burgess, G. (under review) Undertaking building projects using offsite manufacturing: Exploring the role of a systems integrator through a complex product systems model. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management.

Oti-Sarpong, K., Shojaei, R., Dakhli, Z, Burgess, G. and Zaki, M. (under review) A critical examination of pre-manufactured value as a performance evaluation metric for the adoption and use of modern methods of construction: insights from UK industry experts. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management.

Oti-Sarpong, K., Ehwi, R.J, Shojaei, R. and Burgess G. (under review) A critical review of the literature on off-site manufacturing for construction project delivery. Construction Innovation.

Shojaei, R. and Burgess, G. (2022) Non-technical inhibitors to uptake digital innovation in the construction industry. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 185, 122036.

Shojaei, R. S., Oti-Sarpong, K., & Burgess, G. (2022). Leading UK construction companies’ strategies to tackle BIM training and skills challenges . International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 1-22.

Ehwi, R.J., Holmes, H., Maslova, S., Burgess, G. (2022) The ethical underpinnings of Smart City governance: Decision-making in the Smart Cambridge Programme. Urban Studies, February 2022. DOI:10.1177/00420980211064983.

Holmes, H. and Burgess, G. (2022) Digital exclusion and poverty in the UK: How structural inequality shapes experiences of getting online. Digital Geography and Society, 2022, 3. DOI: 10.1016/j.diggeo.2022.100041.

Shojaei, R.S., Oti-Sarpong, K. and Burgess, G. (2022) Enablers for the adoption and use of BIM in main contractor companies in the UK. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-07-2021-0650.

Burgess, G., Holmes, H. and Stirling, P. (2021) Ageing well: Housing options and alternative models of living for later life, in Research in Practice (eds.), Ageing well – building a system to meet the needs of the next generation of older adults. [Online]. Available at: https://www.researchinpractice.org.uk/adults/news-views/2021/july/ageing-well-building-a-system-to-meet-the-needs-of-the-next-generation-of-older-adults/.

Ehwi, R.J., Oti-Sarpong, K., Shojaei, R. and Burgess, G. (2021): Offsite manufacturing research: a systematic review of methodologies used. Construction Management and Economics, DOI: 10.1080/01446193.2021.2007537.

Holmes, H. and Burgess, G. (2021) Homelessness prevention through one-to-one coaching: the relationship between coaching, class stigma, and self-esteem. Housing, Theory and Society. DOI: 10.1080/14036096.2021.1887348.

Oti-Sarpong, K, Lärn, E, Burgess, G and Zaki, M (2021) Transforming the construction sector: an institutional complexity perspective. Construction Innovation, Vol (ahead of print). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-04-2021-0071.

Oti-Sarpong, K., Shojaei, R., Dakhli, Z., Burgess, G. and Zaki, M. (2021) How countries achieve greater use of offsite manufacturing to build new housing: identifying typologies through institutional theory. Sustainable Cities and Society, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2021.103403.

Key publications: 

Journal Articles and Book Chapters

• Stirling, P. and Burgess, G. (forthcoming) The promises and the reality of smart, digital telecare in England. Housing, Care and Support.
• Holmes, H. and Burgess, G. (2021) Homelessness Prevention through One-To-One Coaching: The Relationship between Coaching, Class Stigma, and Self-Esteem. Housing, Theory and Society. DOI: 10.1080/14036096.2021.1887348.
• Burgess, G. and Quinio, V. (2020) Unpicking the downsizing discourse: understanding the housing moves made by older people in England. Housing Studies. DOI: 10.1080/02673037.2020.1754346.
• Lee, C., Burgess, G., Kuhn, I., Cowan, A. and Lafortune, L. (2020) Community exchange and time currencies: a systematic and in-depth thematic review of impact on public health outcomes. Public Health, 180: 117-128. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2019.11.011.
• Burgess, G. and Muir, K. (2019) The Increase in Multigenerational Households in the UK: The Motivations for and Experiences of Multigenerational Living. Housing, Theory and Society, DOI: 10.1080/14036096.2019.1653360.
• Lord, A., Burgess, G., Gu, Y., & Dunning, R. (2019). Virtuous or vicious circles? Exploring the behavioural connections between developer contributions and path dependence: Evidence from England. Geoforum, 106: 244-252. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2019.07.024.
• Burgess, G. (2018) What is the potential for community currencies to deliver positive public health outcomes? Case study of Time Credits in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, UK. Journal of International Community Currencies, Vol 21 (Summer): 19-32.
• Burgess, G. and Durrant, D. (2018) Reciprocity in the co-production of public services: the role of volunteering through community time exchange? Social Policy and Society, 1-16. DOI:10.1017/S1474746418000076.
• Burgess, G., Kelemen, M., Parsons, L. and Moffat, S. (2017) Performative Knowledge Production: Fresh Insights into Marketplace Exclusion. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, Volume 20, Issue 4, 486-511.
• Alova, G. and Burgess, G. (2016) Housing Poverty in Ecuador: Challenges to Eradication. Survey Review.
• Burgess, G. and Monk, S. (2016) Delivering planning obligations – are agreements successfully delivered? Planning gain: providing infrastructure and housing in (Eds.) Crook, A. and Whitehead, C. Wiley Blackwell.
• Burgess, G. and Morrison, N. (2016) Improving housing outcomes: the value of advice and support for vulnerable older people. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, 31:197–211. (First published online 8th May 2015).
• Burgess, G. (2013). A Hidden History: Women's Activism in Ethiopia. Journal of International Women's Studies, 14(3), 96-107. Available at: http://vc.bridgew.edu/jiws/vol14/iss3/7
• Burgess, G. and Morrison, N. (2013) Inclusionary housing policy in England: the impact of the downturn on the delivery of affordable housing through Section 106. For special edition of the Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, Online First.
• Burgess, G. (2012) Book Review: P Patricia Kennett and Chan Kam Wah (eds.) (2011) Women and Housing; an international analysis. Abingdon: Routledge. Journal of Social Policy.
• Burgess, G. (2011) 'When the personal becomes political: using legal reform to combat violence against women in Ethiopia', Gender, Place & Culture, First published on: 10 June 2011 (iFirst).
• Burgess, G., Monk, S., and Whitehead, C. (2011) 'Delivering local infrastructure and affordable housing through the planning system: the future of planning obligations through Section 106.' People, Place & Policy Online: 5/1, pp.1-11.
• Burgess, G. (2011) 'The uneven geography of participation in the global scale: Ethiopian women activists at the global periphery.' Globalizations. Volume 8, Number 2. 163-178.
• Burgess, G. (2010) ‘The impact of the economic downturn on low-cost home ownership in the UK’ pp. 247-260, in Monk, S. and Whitehead, C. (eds.) Making Housing More Affordable: The Role of Intermediate Tenures, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford.
• Burgess, G. (2009) ‘Paths to greater affordability’, Town and Country Planning, April 2009, Vol. 78 No.4.
• Burgess G. (2008) ‘Planning and the Gender Equality Duty – why does gender matter?’ People, Place & Policy Online: 2/3, pp.112-121.
• Burgess G and Monk S. (2008) ‘Delivering Affordable Housing through the Planning System: Challenges and Good Practice.’ Journal of Housing, Care and Support.

Research Reports

• Burgess, G. and Karampour, K. (2021) Leasehold and freehold charges: Summary of Research Findings. London: MHCLG. Published online with four supporting appendices.
• Holmes, H. and Burgess, G. (2021) Locating OSM: Offsite construction is firmly on the agenda, but where exactly is ‘offsite’? Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Stirling, P. and Burgess, G. (2021) Understanding supply, demand and investment in the market for retirement communities in England. Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Burgess, G. (2021) Shared Ownership Market Review 2020. London: Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing Association.
• Holmes, H. and Burgess, G. (2021) Locating OSM: Offsite construction is firmly on the agenda, but where exactly is ‘offsite’? Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Burgess, G. (2020) Beyond the Pandemic. What should we do? #2 Tackle the Digital Divide. Cambridge: University of Cambridge. Published online as part of the University’s Beyond the Pandemic series.
• Burgess, G., Oti-Sarpong, K & Shojaei, R. (2020) Tackling the housing crisis through digital technologies and OSM. Cambridge: Bennett Institute of Public Policy. Part of the series ‘An industrial strategy for tomorrow’.
• Burgess, G. and Stirling, P. (2020) How does the provision of advanced, predictive telecare and smart home technology for older people affect its outcomes? Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research. Launched at the Housing LIN Summit 2020 in December.
• Holmes, H. and Burgess, G. (2020) New Horizons: Long term impact of coaching and the wider context of structural poverty. Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Schooling, J., Burgess, G., and Enzer, M. (2020) Flourishing systems: re-envisioning infrastructure as a platform for human flourishing. Cambridge: Centre for Digital Built Britain.
• Burgess, G. (2019) Decision maker interactions with Citizens UK. Report for Trust for London. Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Musa, C. and Burgess, G. (2019) Centre for Science and Policy: Exploring impact. Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Burgess, G. and Quinio, V. (2019) Co-living for vulnerable older people: Stakeholder views. Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Burgess, G. and Quinio, V. (2019) Co-living for vulnerable older people: Literature review. Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Burgess, G, Jones, M and Muir, K (2018) BIM in the UK house building industry: opportunities and barriers to adoption. Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Burgess, G. (2018) Digital Built Britain Housing Network: Final Report. Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Burgess, G. and Quinio, V. (2018) Digital Built Britain Housing Network: Position Paper 4: How could better use of data and digital technologies improve housing delivery through the UK planning system? Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Burgess, G. and Quinio, V. (2018) Digital Built Britain Housing Network: Position Paper 3: How will the UK govern, manage and maintain housing stock in a Digital Built Britain? Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Burgess, G., Jones, M. and Muir, K. (2018) Digital Built Britain Housing Network: Position paper 2: What is the role of off-site housing manufacture in a Digital Built Britain? Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Burgess, G. and Muir, K. (2018) Digital Built Britain Housing Network: Position paper 1: How can digital tools and technologies support independent living for older people, now and into the future? Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Jones, M, Muir, K, Udagawa, C and Burgess, G (2018) The impact of taxation reform on the private rented sector. Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Lord, A, Dunning, R, Dockerill, B, Burgess, G and Carro, A (2018) The Incidence and Value of Planning Obligations and Community Infrastructure Levy in England in 2016-17. London: MHCLG.
• Burgess, G. (2017) Evaluating the Public Health Outcomes of the Cambridgeshire Time Credits Project: Final Report. Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Burgess, G, Hamilton C, Jones M, Muir K (2017) Moving insights from the over 55s: what homes do they buy? Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Burgess, G., Hamilton, C., Jones, M. &  Muir, K (2017) Multigenerational living: opportunities for house builders? Final Report (source document) for the NHBC Foundation. Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Burgess, G. (2016) Evaluating the Public Health Outcomes of the Cambridgeshire Time Credits Project: Interim Report. Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Markkanen, S. and Burgess, G. (2016) The potential for Time Credits to generate public health outcomes – a conceptual model. Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Burgess, G., Hamilton, C. and Udagawa, C. (2016) Identifying housing need in the horseracing industry, Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Markkanen, S. and Burgess, G. (2016) Introduction to co-production in research: summary report. Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Markkanen, S. and Burgess, G. (2015) Introduction to time banking and Time Credits. Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Clarke, A., Burgess, G., Morris, S. And Udagawa, C. (2015) Estimating the scale of youth homelessness in the UK. Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Burgess, G. and Jones, M. (2015) Road and Sewer Bonds in England and Wales – report to the NHBC. Cambridge: Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Burgess, G. (2014) Mechanisms to increase land supply in Enlgand and Wales. RICS.
• Burgess, G. Crook, T. Jones, M. Monk, S. (2014) Research on the nature of planning constraints. Department for Communities and Local Government Select Committee.
• Burgess, G. (2014) Managing Money Better Evaluation. Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research: Cambridge.
• Burgess, G. (2014) FirstStop Evaluation - progress of local partners. Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research: Cambridge.
• Burgess, G. (2013) Building social capital through community timebanking. Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research: Cambridge.
• Burgess, G. and Monk, S. (2013) Scoping study on service use by the Cambridgeshire D/deaf communities. Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research: Cambridge.
• Burgess, G. and Monk, S. (2013) Managing hearing loss in vulnerable groups of the Cambridgeshire D/deaf communities. Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research: Cambridge.
• Burgess, G., Monk, S., Williams, P. (2013) ‘Equity release amongst older homeowners’. Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
• Monk S, Tang C, Burgess G, Whitehead C (2013) ‘International Review of Land Supply and Planning Systems’. Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
• Burgess, G. & Monk, S. (2012). ‘Capturing planning gain – the transition from Section 106 to the Community Infrastructure Levy’. London: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
• Burgess, G. et al. (2012 and 2011) ‘Outputs from the evaluation of FirstStop: the value of information and advice to older people about housing and care’.
• Burgess, G., Clark, A. and Lyall Grant, F. (2011) ‘Domestic violence - assistance for adults without dependant children’. Department of Communities and Local Government.
• Burgess, G. (2011) ‘Evaluation of the Women’s Design Group Project’. Women’s Design Service.
• Burgess, G., Monk, S. and Whitehead, C. (2010) ‘Response to the CLG Select Committee Inquiry on the abolition of regional spatial strategies for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
• Burgess, G., Monk, S. and Whitehead, C. (2010) ‘How can the planning system deliver more housing?’ York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
• Burgess, G., Lyall Grant, F., Monk, S., Tang, C. and Whitehead, C.  (2010) ‘Evaluation of the FirstStop information and advice service.’ FirstStop.
• Burgess, G., Crook, A., Dunning, R., Ferrari, E., Henneberry, J., Lyall Grant, F., Monk, S., Rowley, S., Watkins, C. and Whitehead, C. (2010a) ‘The Incidence, Value and Delivery of Planning Obligations in England in 2007-08 Final Report’.London: Communities and Local Government.
• Burgess, G. (2009)‘The implications for Low Cost Home Ownership of the UK housing downturn’, Housing Market Intelligence Report, Housebuilder, October 2009.
• Burgess, G. (2009) ‘Equal space’, RICS Land Journal, February-March 2009.
• Burgess, G. (2009) ‘Planning and the Gender Equality Duty – why does gender matter?’, RICS Research Report, May 2009 and RICS FiBRE Series, April 2009.
• Burgess, G., Lyall Grant, F and Whitehead, C. (2009) ‘Low Cost Home Ownership and the Credit Crunch: A Report on Regional Markets and Competition with Private Developers’, Tenant Services Authority.
• Burgess G, Holmans A and Monk S (2008) ‘Beyond the Affordable Housing Study Stage II: A review and analysis of changes in the intermediate housing market in the East of England 2004-2007’, East of England Regional Assembly.
• Monk S, Burgess G, Cousins L and Dunmore K. (2008) ‘Good Practice Guide to Delivering New Affordable Housing on S106 Sites.’ Inspire East and East of England Development Agency.
• Monk S, Burgess G, Cousins L and Dunmore K. (2008) ‘Practice guidance on affordable housing clauses in Section 106 agreements for local planning authorities in Wales.’ Welsh Assembly Government.
• Whitehead C, Monk S, Burgess G, Crook, T and Rowley, S. (2008) ‘Common Starting Points for Section 106 Affordable Housing Negotiations.’ Communities and Local Government.
• Whitehead C, Burgess G, and Lyall-Grant F. (2008) ‘Low Cost Home Ownership: Affordability, Risks and Issues.’ Housing Corporation.
• Whitehead, C., Monk, S., Holmans, A., Burgess, G., and Markkanen, S. (2008) ‘Overview of Availability and Quality of Data Sources: Housing Affordability.’National Housing and Planning Advice Unit.
• Whitehead, C., Crook, T., Burgess, G.  and Monk, S. (2007, revised 2008) ‘Submission to the Housing Green Paper’. Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
• Burgess, G., Monk, S. and Whitehead, C. (2007) ‘The Provision of Affordable Housing Through Section 106: The Situation in 2007’.Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Research Paper Series Vol 7 No 14.
• Burgess, G., Monk, S., Crook, T. and Whitehead, C. (2007) ‘The Provision of Affordable Housing through the Planning System: An Update’. Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

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