Ross Wignall

Ross Wignall is a Senior Lecturer in Social/Cultural Anthropology at Oxford Brookes University, affiliated with the School of Law and Social Sciences. He is actively engaged in research on gender, youth, employment, and urban livelihoods, with a regional focus on Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Cameroon.

His research interests include gender transformation, masculinities, youth transitions, and the role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in promoting decent work for young women. He emphasizes participatory and gender-just approaches to development, challenging patriarchal norms in labor markets.

Recent publications (2023) focus on TVET programs in Cameroon and Sierra Leone, exploring how skills development can empower young women and drive broader gender transformation. His work often involves interdisciplinary and international collaborations, especially through the British Academy-funded Gen-Up project.

Scientific contributions include publications in high-impact journals such as Journal of the British Academy, International Journal of Educational Development, and Journal of Contemporary Religion. His research bridges academic inquiry with practical policy implications for youth inclusion and gender equity.

• Principal Investigator, Gen-Up Project (British Academy funded)
• Supervises postgraduate research students, including Francesca de Chenu
• Collaborates with institutions in Cameroon (Catholic University of Central Africa), Sierra Leone (Njala University), and international organizations like the World Bank

He is involved in research groups focused on space, temporalities, and urban development, contributing to critical debates on ageing, mobility, and social infrastructure in African cities.