New Professor of Human Geography at UCL

Jennifer Robinson took up her position as Professor of Human Geography at UCL in October. Formerly Professor of Urban Geography at the Open University, she is author of a much praised recent book, Ordinary Cities, which offers a critique of urban studies from the point of view of cities in poorer countries. Her work challenges the conventional divide between western and ‘Third world’ cities, and argues for a truly cosmopolitan approach to understanding cities. Her empirical research has been focussed on South Africa, including studies of segregation and state power, and the politics of urban development. She is currently working on methodologies for comparative international urban research, and planning a comparative research project on city strategies and the circulation of urban policy.