Personal profile
Overview
I am an interdisciplinary urban researcher, with a strong commitment to developing and sustaining equitable partnerships in the Global South. My interests include urban health; shelter and infrastructure in informal settlements; climate adaptation; gender; and informal livelihoods. Over many years, I've been lucky to work closely with affiliates of Slum Dwellers International (SDI) in several African cities, and with other grassroots partners based in Zimbabwe and India.
At Manchester, I contribute to postgraduate modules in urban development planning, international fieldwork, climate resilience, and qualitative research. I am very happy to speak with students interested in Manchester: please feel free to email alice.sverdlik[at]manchester.ac.uk
Currently, I am Co-Investigator for an ESRC/NFRF project on health equity and climate action in Bulawayo, Freetown, and Kampala. I recently contributed to University of Manchester's African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) with civil society and academic partners in Nairobi. From 2018-23, I served as research manager for an NIHR-funded project on occupational health and climate change-related risks for informal workers in India and Zimbabwe. Alongside SDI partners in four African cities, I explored COVID-19 responses with a focus on bottom-up action during the pandemic. Other projects have analysed shelter in Nairobi (DFID's East Africa Research Fund) and grassroots understanding of risk and resilience in Dar es Salaam (British Academy).
I am co-convenor for the Development Studies Association's Urbanisation and Development Study Group, including a recent workshop on 'New Frontiers of Urban Informality.'
From 2017-2022, I worked as a researcher at the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), where I produced policy-related outputs for UCLG, UN-Habitat, and C40.
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy, City and Regional Planning , University of California, Berkeley
20 Aug 2011 → 15 May 2017
Award Date: 15 May 2017
Master in Science, Urban Economic Development, University College London (UCL)
30 Sept 2009 → 1 Oct 2010
Award Date: 1 Oct 2010
Master in Science, Social Policy Research, London School of Economics & Political Science (University of London)
1 Sept 2008 → 15 Aug 2009
Award Date: 1 Oct 2009
Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms
- Global inequalities
- Sustainable Futures
- Healthier Futures
Keywords
- urban development
- Global inequalities
- Health
- Informality
- climate change adaptation
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 1 No Poverty -
SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Better Cities after COVID-19: Transformative Urban Recovery in the Global South
Sverdlik, A. & Walnycki, A., 10 Jun 2021, London : International Institute for Environment and Development.Research output: Other contribution › peer-review
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Covid-19 in the Global South: How women are leading the charge to combat heightened inequalities
Sverdlik, A., 1 Jun 2021, Essays on Covid-19: The road to a gender-equal recovery. London: King's College London, Vol. 2021. p. 31-35 5 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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High rises and low-quality shelter: rental housing dynamics in Mathare Valley, Nairobi
Mwau, B. & Sverdlik, A., 30 Oct 2020, In: Environment and Urbanization .Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Urban Informal Settlement Upgrading and Health Equity
Sverdlik, A. & Corburn, J., 1 Jun 2016, Slum Health: From the Cell to the Street. Corburn, J. & Riley, L. (eds.). University of California Press, p. 80-100 21 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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Nairobi: City report
Sverdlik, A., Gichuiya, L. N., Glück, Z., Kanyinga, K., Kimari, W., Magero, J., Maina, M., Michuki, G., Mwangi, V., Mwau, B., Njoroge, I., Otiso , L. & Owuor, S., 7 Feb 2025, Manchester: African Cities Research Consortium, p. 1-92, 92 p.Research output: Preprint/Working paper › Working paper
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Press/Media
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Street vendors and garbage pickers need protection from climate extremes
29/09/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Blogs and social media