Judith Keller

Judith Keller is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Heidelberg University, affiliated with the Department of Geography and the Heidelberg Center for American Studies. Her role centers on research and writing, complemented by occasional teaching (one class per semester), organizing academic events, and extensive science communication through podcasts, The Conversation, and urban development tours for school groups. She also serves as an editor for the Radical Housing Journal.

Dr. Keller's research examines housing biographies—tracing life-stage housing trajectories and disruptions like evictions—and their influence on political engagement and housing activism. Using qualitative methods including interviews and international participatory observation, she investigates how housing insecurities impact ontological security and pathways into housing rights movements. She emphasizes geography's capacity to address real-world spatial justice challenges through interdisciplinary frameworks bridging cultural studies and history.

Originally inspired by her father's geography enthusiasm, Dr. Keller transitioned from initial teaching aspirations to academic research during university studies, culminating in a PhD. She advocates for intentional academia careers, work-life balance (prioritizing weekends/vacations), and celebrating incremental achievements. Her work rejects 'ivory tower' perceptions by focusing on tangible urban development impacts, particularly in housing justice contexts.