11. New York City

Created in 1998, the Globalization and World Cities (GaWC) Research Network helps to understand the changing role of cities in globalization. Our research examines why global cities such as New York and London are the most connected and therefore strategically important cities in the world. For over 25 years, researchers at Loughborough University have pioneered new methods and approaches which have contributed to theories about how cities function.

In response to arguments that we always need new theories to understand cities, Michael and John’s research emphasises the critical importance of ‘stress-testing’ new and existing approaches. Their research reveals the strengths and weaknesses of different ideas and approaches to consider which are more or less useful in explaining cities.

More about Michael’s research: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/subjects/geography-environment/staff/michael-hoyler/

More about John’s research: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/subjects/geography-environment/staff/john-harrison/

Learn more about GaWC here: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/microsites/geography/gawc/

Read one of Michael and John’s publications on stress-testing urban theory: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0042098020957499