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Staff Profile

Dr Astrid Wood

Senior Lecturer in Economic Geography

  • Address: School of Geography, Politics and Sociology
    Newcastle University
    Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU

    For more information: www.astridwood.com
Background

Astrid Wood is a critical urban geographer concentrating on governance and the built environment. Her research expertise includes comparative urbanism, critical urban theory, development, the Global South, governance, inclusive cities, mobilities, policy mobilities, postcolonial studies, South(ern) Africa, sustainability, transport and urban studies.

Over the past decade, Astrid has been involved in studying and shaping the urban form of cities in Albacete, Ankara, Boston, Cape Town, Chicago, Dar es Salaam, Edinburgh, Erode, eThekwini, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Johannesburg, London, Madras, Madrid, New Orleans, New York, Shenzhen and Washington DC.

Astrid holds a PhD in Geography from University College London (UCL), a Master of City Planning and a certificate in Urban Design, City Design and Development from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Bachelor of Arts from Hampshire College. Previously, she held posts at Cardiff University, Royal Holloway University of London (RHUL), University College London (UCL) and London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

For more information: Email - astrid.wood(at)newcastle.ac.uk

Also see: Google Scholar Citations; Imagining Urban Futures: Researching Policy Mobilities and Urban Politics;  LinkedIn Profile

Research

Research area

Astrid specializes in Southern cities and their mechanisms for circulating urban policy. Her research considers how and why cities are increasingly constituted through relational connections with distantiated sites by focusing on the range of engagements taking place in order to localize a particular case of best practice. This research draws on her experience working with South African cities to develop new mechanisms for cooperation by circulating information, knowledge and best practice for urban planning and municipal governance. Astrid has published research papers in Antipode, Environment and Planning A, International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Public Culture, Urban Forum and Urban Geography. 


Research projects

The geography of bus rapid transit 

The project traces the mobility of BRT from Latin Americans cities to (South) African cities through the social and material exchanges between importing and exporting localities. 

Decolonializing transport 

In departing from the predominately technical, Northern and formalist approaches to mobility, this project explores a decolonial view of urban transport by attending more closely to policy, practice and knowledge of transport infrastructures. This project advocates for a repoliticisation of transport, to explicitly frame it as urban and to reconnect it with critical urban studies. 

Deconstructing the global south

The project develops new understandings of cities of the global south by deconstructing the binaries that hinder practices of learning, and perhaps in doing so, debate the very categorization itself.


PhD projects related to cities, comparative urbanism, mobilities, policy mobilities, South(ern) African urbanism are most welcome.

 
Teaching

Over the past fifteen years, I have cultivated a dynamic and deeply fulfilling career as both a research-led teacher and a teaching-led researcher. My approach to education is rooted in enthusiasm, inclusivity and intellectual curiosity. Students consistently describe me as “very enthusiastic”, “approachable and friendly”, “motivational”, and “passionate about the topics”. One student memorably wrote, “Her excitement is infectious” – a sentiment that encapsulates my belief that learning is most powerful when it is joyful and emotionally resonant. I strive to create modules where students feel inspired, supported and intellectually challenged.


Below is a list of modules that I currently lead:


Undergraduate teaching

Geo2148 - Cities of the Global South (module leader)

This module introduces students to urban geography by exploring the spatial, social, economic, and political dimensions of cities. Through examining key theories and concepts in urban geographies, students gain insight into the processes that shape urban environments. The module also draws on real-world case studies and examples to foster critical reflection on how urban geography concepts apply to contemporary urban challenges. In addition to developing a deeper understanding of urban processes, students are encouraged to enhance their independent learning skills, draw on a variety of sources to conduct research, develop analytical insights and communicate their findings effectively through assessments. Overall, this module is designed to equip you with the knowledge, critical thinking skills and research competencies necessary to engage with both the academic study and practical realities of urban geography.


Geo3166 - Geographies of Global South Cities (module leader)

This module introduces students the geographies of the global south by examining the economic, political and social processes that have shaped cities in Africa, Asia and Latin America, while highlighting the enduring impacts of colonialism, development and globalization. The module uses critical urban geography approaches to explore how cities in the global south serve as sites of exclusion and resistance, where inequalities are intensified and alternative urban futures imagined. Students consider the diversity of urban experiences across the global south, emphasizing how cities are shaped by local contexts and global forces. Additional focus will be placed on innovative urban practices emerging from these regions, which increasingly influence global best practices. In so doing, students learn to challenge conventional views on economic growth and development and rethink the global dominance of northern urban models. Students will gain a broader understanding of urbanization processes and develop the tools to critically analyze the challenges and opportunities facing cities worldwide.


Geo3141 - Cities of the Global South (rested)

This module introduces students to contemporary urban debates concerning cities of the Global South. The lectures, seminars and readings examine the divergent challenges and opportunities, emphasizing the connections and contentions influencing urban culture, economies, governance, morphologies, politics and planning. It builds on ideas explored at Stage 2 and students should be comfortable with concepts in development, economic, political and/or social geography. Students will be expected to write two essays and lead as well as participate in weekly discussions.


Postgraduate teaching

Geo8029 - City Futures (module leader)

This module provides students with an overview of key debates and themes in urban geography, in order to understand the future directions of cities across the globe. Structured around a series of big questions for cities, the module encourages students to develop their own answers which allow them to understand, first, the challenges that become apparent as we attempt to answer these questions and, second, how existing urban geography and urban studies research helps answer those questions.

 


Publications