Rebecca Shakespeare

Rebecca Shakespeare is a Lecturer in Urban & Environmental Policy & Planning at Tufts University's School of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Geography and GIS from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2019), an M.A. in International Communication from American University (2007), and a B.A. in History from Indiana University Bloomington (2005). Her research focuses on urban housing affordability, neighborhood dynamics, and spatial equity, employing qualitative GIS, interviews, and policy analysis. Notably, her NSF-funded dissertation explored middle-income renters' mobility decisions in New York City, Beijing, and Chicago. She has also conducted fieldwork on environmental exposure and urban transportation patterns in Massachusetts.

Her work bridges urban geography and policy, emphasizing how residents perceive and are impacted by urban environments. Recent publications address housing opportunity perceptions, public transportation trends, and allergy-friendly urban food access. Prior to academia, Shakespeare served as a Presidential Management Fellow and digital media analyst at the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

Her research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, reflecting her expertise in linking spatial analysis to socio-economic urban challenges. While no formal advisees are listed, her teaching and research mentorship contribute to the next generation of urban planners and geospatial analysts.