Dr Jonathan Gunson, born in the United Kingdom in 1989, is a researcher and policy analyst specialising in the cultural sector. His work spans a wide range of interconnected fields, with particular research interests in arts philanthropy and cultural patronage, heritage and history, cultural policy and the economics of culture, and policy development at both regional and national levels.

Jonathan’s research also extends into comparative political geographies; the political economy and history of arts funding; historical and contemporary philanthropic traditions; the relationships between philanthropy and religion; religion and the arts; and the evolution of cultural patronage. He has a strong academic interest in the history of theatre and the performing arts from the mid-19th to the mid-20th centuries, as well as the broader landscapes and geographies of civil society.

His academic journey includes studies at the University of Edinburgh and Maastricht University, culminating in the completion of his doctorate at Coventry University. Jonathan has worked in the cultural sector in both research and practical capacities, later transitioning into freelance research. These experiences have equipped him with a deep and nuanced understanding of the cultural ecosystem.

Beyond academia, Jonathan has been actively involved in the cultural sector through practical engagements, including participation in cultural events. He currently collaborates closely with professionals working in arts fundraising and arts philanthropy and maintains strong personal and professional interests in theatre and the performing arts.