Dr Andrew Ainslie, AssociateProfessor, (Agriculture, Policy and Development)

Dr Alex Arnall, Associate Professor (Agriculture, Policy and Development) and Research Division Leader

Dr Sarah Cardey, Associate Professor (Agriculture, Policy and Development)

Dr Graham Clarkson, Senior Research Fellow (Agriculture, Policy and Development)

Dr Jo Davies, Lecturer (Agriculture, Policy and Development)

Professor Peter Dorward (Agriculture, Policy and Development)

Dr Sylvie Dubuc, Lecturer (Human Geography)

Dr Ruth Evans, Associate Professor (Human Geography)

Professor Eleanor Fisher (Agriculture, Policy and Development)

Professor Rosa Freedman, (School of Law)

Professor Hilary Geoghegan, (Human Geography)

Professor Michael Goodman, (Human Geography)

Dr Thomas Grisaffi, Lecturer (Human Geography)

Dr Neha Hui, Postdoctoral Fellow (Economics)

Professor Uma Kambhampati, (Economics)

Dr Sally Lloyd-Evans, Associate Professor (Human Geography)

Dr Stefania Lovo, Lecturer (Economics)

Professor Avril Maddrell (Human Geography)

Dr Filippo Menga, Associate Professor (Human Geography)

Professor Steve Musson, Head of Department of Geography and Environmental Science

Dr Henny Osbahr,Associate Professor (Agriculture, Policy and Development)

Dr Thi Anh Tho Pham, Lecturer (Economics)

Dr Sam Poskitt, Postdoctoral Research Assistant (Agriculture, Policy and Development

Dr Samantha Rawlings, Lecturer (Economics)

Dr Marie Aronsson-Storrier, Lecturer (Global Law and Disasters)

Dr Freddy van Hulst, Postdoctoral Research Assistant (Agriculture, Policy and Development)

Working Better With Whitley

Since 2014, Dr Sally Lloyd-Evans (Geography) has been working alongside residents in the Whitley area of Reading to develop a collective now known as the Whitley Researchers. Armed with participatory research tools, the team is identifying needs within the community to help address issues of economic and social exclusion. 

In partnership with Reading Borough Council, this phase seeks to understand and highlight young people’s attitudes and aspirations to further education, transitions to work, and their future lives. The methods are fresh, innovative, and often unique. A group of 13-14 year-olds at the John Madejski Academy have become the Whitley Young Researchers who now devise their own research questions and approaches.

Safeguarding children in crisis and conflict

Most peacekeeping forces do their jobs with courage, dedication and professionalism. But those who commit sexual offences bring shame on the entire United Nations system and betray the trust of those they are sent to protect. Current laws, policies and practices to tackle child sexual exploitation and abuse lack consistency across organisations within the UN, making effective solutions difficult to deliver.

Human rights lawyer Professor Rosa Freedman has worked in partnership with the specialist organisation Keeping Children Safe to develop a safeguarding toolkit to tackle this complex challenge. It includes guidance on policy development, procedures, training and accountability measures and has been implemented in thousands of organisations around the world. In 2019 Professor Freedman was invited to join the UN’s newly established Civil Society Advisory Board on prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Cemeteries and crematoria as public spaces of belonging

Professor Avril Maddell (Geography) is leading a cross-Europe study of cemeteries and crematoria ‘gardens’ as public spaces and their role in social exclusion or cultural inclusion and integration of migrants and minority communities. In the context of COVID-19, she reflected on the need to ensure funeral preparations respect and meet the needs of diverse communities, especially in times of crisis.

Coca leaf and innovative crop control policy

Indigenous Andean peoples have consumed coca leaf for over 4000 years, but since the mid-19th century, coca has also served as the principal raw material in refined cocaine, fuelling an international trade in illegal drugs. Today, an estimated 237,000 rural families in Bolivia, Colombia and Peru cultivate the leaf in areas characterised poor infrastructure, high rates of poverty and limited access to services. 

Working with local research partners, Thomas Grisaffi (Geography) is analysing the coca trade to compare the crime and security approach taken by the Peruvian and Colombian governments and the policy in Bolivia which focuses on traditional uses of the leaf and limited production through community-level control. The aim is to identify best practices and promote South-South cooperation by linking farmers, policymakers, advocates and scholars in both countries.

Picturing challenges of life in paradise

Every day, island communities in the Maldives feel the impact of environmental change caused by tourism and human activity. Working with residents in the small islands of the North Malé atoll, Alex Arnall (International Development) used cameras to build a picture of their everyday lives and the changing environment.

The research revealed three major changes causing great concern among local people. The erosion of coastline due to natural forces and coastal engineering, the accumulation of rubbish washed-up on the shoreline, and the rapid expansion of the built environment for tourists. These concerns were brought into sharp focus at an exhibition of the islanders’ photographs in Malé, attended by the public, local and international policymakers. With new skills and confidence, island communities are now better equipped to articulate their concerns and propose locally driven solutions.