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Tom Lewis is on the Human Geography pathway at the University of Birmingham. Tom completed a three-month placement with the Greater Manchester Resilience Unit (GMRU).

Serving as the Stronger LRF Trailblazer Officer, Tom bridged theoretical academic research on urban resilience with real-world policy development. His work focused specifically on strengthening the political assurance and accountability frameworks of the Greater Manchester Resilience Forum (GMRF). By executing a thematic analysis of thirty qualitative interviews and conducting targeted follow-up discussions, Tom evaluated best practices across local resilience forums in England. This research culminated in a comprehensive 5,000-word report featuring twenty strategic recommendations that have since been directly incorporated into the GMRU's Year Two delivery strategy. Furthermore, Tom’s findings have successfully entered national-level policy conversations surrounding proposed revisions to the UK Civil Contingencies Act (2004).

Beyond his primary project, Tom engaged broadly with the sector by auditing multi-agency meetings, reviewing recommendations from external independent consultants, and completing a Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles (JESIP) training course at the Greater Manchester Police Headquarters. Tom emphasized that the opportunity has sharpened his professional project management skills and established a vital network of practitioner connections.