معرفی
Audrey Lumley-Sapanski is an Assistant Professor of Geography in the Department of Geography at Colorado Mesa University (CMU), where she teaches human geography, world regional geography, GIS for social scientists, and introduction to cartography. She joined CMU in August 2023 after conducting research at the University of Nottingham’s Rights Lab, focusing on human trafficking, migration governance, and migrant vulnerabilities.
Her educational background includes a PhD in Geography from The Pennsylvania State University, an MS in Masters of Science for Teachers from Pace University, and a BA in American Studies from Williams College. She was also a New York City Teaching Fellow in Social Studies, which led to high school teaching experience in social studies, economics, and governance, including leading student study abroad programs to Mexico and South Africa.
Lumley-Sapanski’s research centers on the intersection of migration, governance, and human rights, particularly how policies and securitization affect migrant safety and integration. Her work explores 'points of inflection' in migratory journeys where exploitation risks increase, and how differential rights allocation based on migratory status leads to marginalization. Her research is both academic and policy-oriented, funded by organizations such as the International Organization for Migration, the International Labour Organization, and the UK’s Research Innovation fund.
Her recent publications span journals like Political Geography, Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, and Geoforum, as well as policy briefings for the UN and NGOs. The articles reflect consistent themes in migration policy, human trafficking during crises (e.g., the pandemic), and the spatial and institutional factors shaping refugee outcomes. Her work often employs qualitative and spatial analysis methods, with regional focus on the Central Mediterranean Route, the UK, Sudan, and the US.
- International Organization for Migration (IOM)
- International Labour Organization (ILO)
- Modern Slavery Policy and Evaluation Centre
- UK Research Innovation fund
Lumley-Sapanski has collaborated extensively with policymakers and practitioners, contributing submissions to United Nations human rights bodies and co-authoring policy evaluations such as the Homes for Ukraine hosting scheme. While no formal advisees are listed, she has mentored students through field programs and taught graduate-level methods courses in Italy, the UK, and the US. She is actively involved in bridging academic research with real-world policy solutions, particularly in the areas of refugee integration, housing, and anti-trafficking initiatives.
She is affiliated with interdisciplinary research networks focused on human rights and migration, including the Rights Lab at the University of Nottingham. Her future work is likely to expand on the geographies of forced displacement, the role of community hosting in refugee integration, and the evolving impacts of global crises on modern slavery.
