Nina Martin

Nina Martin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography & Environment at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a secondary affiliation in the Curriculum in Global Studies. Her work bridges urban theory with practical policy solutions to create equitable cities. Educated at McGill University (BA 1999), the London School of Economics (MSc 2000), and the University of Illinois at Chicago (PhD 2008), she has taught courses on urban geography, global cities, and urban political dynamics.

Research focuses on urban politics, immigration impacts, labor markets, and nonprofit organizations. Her current book project, Pretentious Urbanism: How Progressive Cities Recreate Inequities, critiques urban policies that exacerbate social divides. Methodologically, she employs mixed approaches including qualitative analysis and engaged research to address issues like gentrification, migrant civil society, and informal economies.

Key contributions include studies on street vending regulation, gourmet-driven gentrification in Durham, and the role of migrant-serving organizations. Her work appears in journals like Journal of Urban Affairs and Antipode, emphasizing interdisciplinary dialogue between academia and urban practitioners.