Jennifer Robinson

Professor Jennifer Robinson holds the Chair of Human Geography at the Department of Geography, University College London (UCL). Her work bridges postcolonial critiques with global urban studies, focusing on transnational urban governance in African cities. She leads the ERC-funded Making Africa Urban project, collaborating with institutions in Ghana, South Africa, and Malawi.

Her academic journey began with a BA (Hons) and MA at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, followed by a PhD at the University of Cambridge, where her thesis explored apartheid-era urban policies in Port Elizabeth.

Robinson’s research redefines urban studies through

• Comparative urbanism tactics
• Postcolonial and transcalar governance frameworks
• Infrastructure financialisation and debt urbanisation
• Policy mobilities in sovereign, developmental, and private circuits

She advocates for methodological innovation to center African cities in global urban theory.

Recent publications highlight trends in

• Transnational infrastructure projects in Accra, Dar es Salaam, and Lilongwe
• Post-apartheid urban transformation in Johannesburg
• Neoliberal urban governance in London

Her work has been cited extensively, reflecting its impact on urban policy discourse.

Scientific recognition includes

• Fellow of the British Academy (2024)
• Member of Academia Europaea (2021)
• Fellow of the Society of South African Geographers (2016)

Robinson supervises research degrees and collaborates with teams across four continents, merging academic rigor with community engagement.