Jennifer Robinson

Jennifer Robinson is Professor of Human Geography at University College London (UCL), with a distinguished career spanning institutions like the London School of Economics, The Open University, and University of Natal. Her work bridges global urban studies, postcolonial geography, and comparative urbanism, reshaping urban theory through critiques of modernity and neoliberalism. She co-directs the UCL Urban Laboratory and has led international conferences like At the Frontiers of the Urban (2019).

Her research focuses on reorienting urban studies through postcolonial and global South perspectives, advocating for comparative methods to transcend Eurocentric frameworks. Key themes include urban governance, political geography, and large-scale development, particularly in African cities.

Recent publications highlight trends in global urban theory, comparative urbanism, and the interplay of finance and urban development. She has received prestigious awards such as the RGS-IBG Murchison Award (2009) and an ERC Advanced Grant (2019), and has been widely cited in Geography and Urban Studies.

• RGS-IBG Murchison Award (2009)
• Fellow of the Society of South African Geographers (2016)
• ERC Advanced Grant (2019)

Robinson has examined over 30 PhD theses internationally and held editorial leadership roles, including Editor-in-Chief of the Studies in Urban and Social Change book series. She directs comparative research programs funded by ESRC and contributes to scientific assessments like the UK Research Excellence Framework.