معرفی
Karen Jacobsen is the Henry J. Leir Professor in Global Migration at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. She holds dual citizenship of South Africa and the U.S., and splits her time between Brookline, MA and western Maine. Her research focuses on migration and displacement in developing regions, particularly Africa and the Middle East, emphasizing the resilience and vulnerability of forced migrants in urban settings. She directs the Refugees in Towns Project at the Leir Institute and previously led the Joint IDP Profiling Service (JIPS) at the UN in Geneva (2013–2014).
Education: Ph.D. in Political Science (MIT, 1992), SM in Political Science (MIT, 1988), MA in Sociology (Northeastern University, 1985), BA in Political Science and English (University of Witwatersrand, 1979).
Research Interests
Her work examines urban displacement, climate-related migration, financial resilience of refugees, and policy responses by governments/international agencies. Recent projects include studies on climate hazards in Addis Ababa and a book on urban displacement impacts. Key themes include refugee livelihoods, humanitarian assistance, and climate-induced mobility.
Grants & Professional Activities
She has led projects funded by UN agencies, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and USAID. Recent grants include studies on migrant women in Libya and financial integration in displacement. Professional roles include advisory work with UNHCR and teaching at Tufts on forced migration, climate policy, and human security.
Publications
Recent works include the Handbook of Forced Migration (2023), A View from Below (2013), and The Economic Life of Refugees (2005). Her research bridges academic analysis with policy impact, focusing on ethical frameworks for migration research and urban displacement governance.
