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Last updated 24th March 2026

Dr Tom Simcock is a Research Fellow and Research Manager of the Healthy Housing Initiative at the University of Huddersfield. His work examines the intersection of housing, organisational culture, and public sector reform, with a particular focus on renters’ experiences, the cultures of frontline public services, and the wider systems that shape safety, wellbeing, and decision-making. Tom leads mixed-method research across complex policy environments and has specialist expertise in housing policy, organisational psychology, and applied social research.

Tom is a Chartered Psychologist (British Psychological Society), an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, a Certified Member of the Market Research Society, and a Fellow of the Housing Studies Association, where he also serves as Chair. He additionally chairs RentingEvidence, a knowledge-exchange initiative that brings together academics, practitioners, and policymakers to support evidence-informed policymaking in the rented sector.

Before joining the University, Tom was Senior Researcher at the Residential Landlords Association, where he led its research unit, PEARL. He oversaw a portfolio of quantitative and qualitative projects, commissioned external research, and advised on evidence-based policy development. In 2018, he received a special commendation in the British Property Federation Tomorrow’s Leaders Rising Star Awards for his contribution to research and policymaking.

Tom’s research spans housing policy, renters’ wellbeing, the private rented sector, welfare reform, and the impacts of emerging technologies in housing. His recent work also includes developing the UK Fire and Rescue Service Independent Culture and Wellbeing Monitor and CultureSpark programme, an academic-led initiative designed to support organisational learning and culture change across the fire services. His research has informed national debates, shaped government consultations, and been cited in the House of Commons, House of Lords, and by the Mayor of London. Tom has provided expert evidence to parliamentary committees, and his research was used in a High Court ruling on the human rights implications of the ‘Right to Rent’ scheme.

Tom’s work receives regular national and international media coverage, and he is frequently sought by policymakers and organisations for his expertise in housing, organisational culture, and evidence-based practice.

Research Interests

Dr Tom Simcock’s research examines how housing systems, organisational cultures, and public policies shape the experiences, wellbeing, and safety of individuals and communities. His work is grounded in interdisciplinary approaches that draw on organisational psychology, housing studies, public policy, and applied social research.

Tom’s core research interests include:

• Housing policy and governance, with a particular focus on renters’ rights, wellbeing, and lived experiences in the private rented sector.

• Organisational culture and change within public services, especially the Fire and Rescue Services, exploring how cultural norms influence safety, decision-making, and workforce wellbeing.

• Inequalities, welfare reform, and public sector transformation, including the impacts of Universal Credit and regulatory change on renters, landlords, and frontline staff.

• Ethics and emerging technologies in housing, examining the implications of digital and smart-home technologies for consent, autonomy, and tenant relationships.

• Applied mixed-methods research and evaluation, including co-production, large-scale survey research, qualitative inquiry, and logic model development to support evidence-informed practice.

Across these themes, Tom’s work aims to advance interdisciplinary understandings of housing, improve organisational practice, and contribute to safer, more equitable and healthy homes and public services.

Impact and Engagement

Tom’s research has had significant national impact on housing policy, organisational culture, and public debate. His evidence has shaped Government consultations, parliamentary scrutiny, and sector-wide reforms.

Key areas of impact include:

• Influencing national housing policy: Tom’s research on renters’ experiences, the private rented sector, and welfare reforms has been cited extensively in the House of Commons, House of Lords, and by the Mayor of London, informing debates on tenancy reform, landlord regulation, and welfare policy.

• Legal and regulatory impact: His work on ‘Right to Rent’ was used as evidence in a High Court ruling examining the human rights implications of immigration checks in housing.

• Expert advisory and parliamentary engagement: Tom has provided expert evidence to the Welsh Parliament, advised government departments, and contributed to national consultations on rental reform and housing standards.

• Transforming organisational culture in public services: Tom leads the development of the UK Fire and Rescue Service Independent Culture and Wellbeing Monitor, supporting culture change, staff wellbeing, and leadership development across fire services.

• Knowledge exchange and sector leadership: As Chair of the Housing Studies Association, Tom facilitates collaboration between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to strengthen evidence-informed practice in the housing sector.

• Media and public engagement: His work receives regular coverage in national and international media, enhancing public understanding of housing issues and supporting wider debates about safety, inequality, and organisational culture.

Through these contributions, Tom’s work has shaped policy, supported organisational transformation, and advanced national conversations on housing justice, wellbeing, and public service culture.

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