Ian has worked in the Department of Social Sciences since 2011. He works across the disciplines/fields of geography, urban studies and criminology. Before arriving in the North East, he worked as a University Teacher at the School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool; a Research Associate at the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, University of Portsmouth; and a Research Fellow/Associate at the School of Environment and Development, University of Manchester. Most importantly, he is a fan of Portsmouth Football Club.

Ian's research focuses on cities, with a particular emphasis on five issues: (1) underpasses and the urban subterranean, (2) policy mobilities; (3) sex work; (4) fictional cities and crime; and (5) the temporality of cities:

• Underpasses and the urban subterranean - Together with Clare Wiper, Ian is working on a research project exploring people's experiences of underpasses in Newcastle upon Tyne. In addition, he is currently writing about the portrayal of the urban subterranean in crime fiction. 
• Policy mobilities - Perhaps his best known work is on policy mobilities which looked at the construction and movement of models of best practice, often in the field of urban development and urban regeneration (e.g. Business Improvement Districts, suburban developments, waterfront regeneration, sporting mega-events) as well as sex work. A key part of this research involved looking at the methods through which policymakers learn about policies elsewhere, focusing in particular on study tours, conferences and award ceremonies.
• Sex work - Ian has worked on a number of projects about sex work, many with an urban focus. These projects include ones looking at how clients of sex work are policed (and the use of John Schools in the UK); the international circulation of sex work policy models; the role of platforms within contemporary sex work; and activism by sex work academics. 
• Fictional cities and crime - Ian is examining the ways in which crime dramas and crime fiction represent cities. He has explored this through an analysis of the crime drama Breaking Bad and is currently analysing these issues in Ian Rankin's long-running John Rebus novels.
• The temporality of cities - He is currently writing about the relationship between time and cities. Here he is exploring the role of time in the policing of urban sex work as well as how the issue of time runs through urban crime fiction.