Matthew Jones

Matthew is an architect and Dean of the School of Architecture & Environment at UWE Bristol, an interdisciplinary school championing sustainable and inclusive futures for the designed and built environments. Before joining UWE Bristol, he was Head of Birmingham School of Architecture & Design, where he led the development of the School’s Sustainable and Inclusive Environments strategy and was a founder of the Green Gown Award-shortlisted Experimental Sustainability Studio.

Matthew’s practice research explores the role of design in creating thriving and resilient towns, high streets, and smaller communities, a focus he has explored through architecture, urban design, participatory workshops, academic research, and community-led planning. His practice-led PhD explored place-specific approaches to the development of rural towns, and his recently published book ‘Transforming Towns: Designing for Smaller Communities’ (RIBA Publishing 2020) argues that designers have a vital role in exploring how we might adapt and transform our towns to help them thrive. He is a member of university-community living lab Hands-On-Bristol, a board member of Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership, and an Advocate in Practice for Design Commission for Wales.