Dr. Gareth Jones

Biography

Gareth Jones is a Professor of Urban Geography at the London School of Economics. He serves as the Director of the MSc Urbanisation & Development programme. His research focuses on key projects funded by prestigious grants, including the Swedish International Centre project that addresses urban violence and aims to improve local security through participatory action research with young people in Colombia and South Africa. This initiative engages with local institutions and communities to reduce violence in major cities like Medellín and Cape Town. Additionally, Gareth is involved in research concerning food access in Brazilian favelas, examining the intersection between social infrastructure and community resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has taught various courses on themes such as Geographies of Urban Violence and Global Urbanism, drawing from ethnographic studies on youth gangs and urban poverty across cities including Kingston, Mexico City, and New Orleans. His work has been supported by the European Research Council and notable grants focused on urban gentrification and the socio-political implications of urban spaces. Gareth has published extensively in respected academic journals and has expertise in areas including gated communities, urban policy, and violence in socio-economic contexts. His research continues to make significant contributions to understanding urban dynamics in diverse global contexts.

Research Interests

Experience