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Smith Ouma

Smith Ouma

Mr

 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0469-333X

Personal profile

Overview

I am currently a Leverhulme Early Career Researcher at the Global Development Institute. Prior to this role, I was a post-doctoral research fellow with the FCDO-funded African Cities Research Consortium.

With a background in Law, my research is inherently interdisciplinary spanning legal geography, urban politics, urban health, and development studies.

My primary focus lies in understanding the political economy of informal settlements and systems failings in cities, particularly in Africa. As part of this interest, I have engaged with multiple actors to understand how power is performed and how interests emerge and compete in informal settlements contexts. I also look at the everyday practices of marginalised urban residents to understand how agency is exercised, and the different strategies and tools that are employed to realize rights in the city. Additionally, I have strong research and professional interest in the field of land law.

Research interests

  • Urban poverty and inequalities
  • Politics of urban land
  • Comparative urbanism
  • Urban health
  • Urban social movements
  • Legal geography

Teaching  

  • Citizen-led Development
  • Development Fundamentals
  • Development Fieldwork

Education/Academic qualification

Doctor of Philosophy, Cardiff University

Award Date: 20 Jul 2022

Postgraduate Diploma, Kenya School of Law

Award Date: 28 Nov 2018

Master of Laws, Loyola University

Award Date: 13 May 2017

Bachelor of Laws, University Of Nairobi

Award Date: 10 Dec 2015

External positions

Visiting Fellow, Cornell Mui Ho Center for Cities

1 Mar 2025 → 1 Apr 2025

Areas of expertise

  • K Law (General)
  • Land law; informality; participation
  • H Social Sciences (General)
  • Urban politics and governance

Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms

  • Global Development Institute

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):

  1. SDG 1 - No Poverty
    SDG 1 No Poverty
  2. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
  3. SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
    SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
  4. SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
    SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  5. SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
    SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
  6. SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
    SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  7. SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals
    SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals

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  • 1 Visiting an external academic institution