Dr. Graham Denyer Willis

Biography

Graham Denyer Willis is a Professor in Development Studies and Latin American Studies at the University of Cambridge, where he also serves as a Fellow at Queens’ College. His research primarily focuses on the political ethnography of power, inequality, and practices within urban spaces, particularly in the context of Brazil. With a keen interest in the dynamics of organized crime and violence, his notable publications include 'Killing Consensus: Police, Organized Crime, Regulation Life Death Urban Brazil' (2015) and 'Keep Bones Alive: Missing People Search Life Brazil' (2022). These works delve into critical issues such as the intersection of state power and organized crime, as well as the social fallout of disappearances and the quest for justice by bereaved families. Graham's academic inquiries extend to the principles of trust and safety within the context of globalization and platform capitalism. He is also passionate about supervising PhD students who explore themes of development, violence, informality, and social contestation in Latin America.

Research Interests