Professor Katie Willis

I have been at Royal Holloway since September 2003. Prior to that I was Lecturer in Human Geography at The University of Liverpool (1994-2003). I studied at Oxford University for eight years, gaining a BA in Geography, an MPhil in Latin American Studies and a DPhil in Geography. My MPhil and DPhil research was based in Oaxaca City, Mexico and focused on gender, class, employment and social networks. I am currently Director of the Politics, Development and Sustainability Group.

Research Interests

My research focuses largely on gendered and household-level changes within the context of 'development'. This research has been mainly conducted in Latin America (especially Mexico) and East Asia (China). I am particularly interested in examining gendered identities and spatial practices, and inter- and intra-household relations related to processes of neoliberalisation and greater global interconnectedness.

The main themes of this research have been:

• Gender, migration and identity
• Health-seeking behaviour
• Gender, work and class

I was also co-investigator on a multi-disciplinary project 'Inca Ushnus: Landscape, Site and Symbol in the Andes'. This was funded through the AHRC Landscape and Environment Programme and was a collaboration between Royal Holloway, the University of Reading, the British Museum and the University of Huamanga, Peru.  

 Teaching

I enjoy teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. I currently teach the compulsory Year 1 course 'Human Geography II: Politics, Societies, Development and Enviroment' and the optional Year 3 course 'Gender and Development in Latin America'. I am also involved in the Year 2 Kenya fieldtrip.

At postgraduate level I contribute to the MSc Practising Sustainable Development. I currently convene modules on 'Hazards and Vulnerability', 'Sustainable Livelihoods' and 'Participatory Methods'.

I have written two widely-used textbooks: 'Theories and Practices of Development' (2nd edition, 2011, Routledge) and 'Geographies of Developing Areas: The Global South in a Changing World' (with Glyn Williams and Paula Meth, 2009, Routledge).

PhD Supervision

I have supervised 12 students to successful completion and am currently supervising four students. I welcome applications from students seeking to research themes around gender and migration; gender and development; transnationalism; health and development.

External Activities

I am currently Editor of Geoforum and was Co-Editor of International Development Planning Review (IDPR) from 2000-2010. I am currently on the Editorial Board/ International Advisory Board of Gender, Place and Culture, Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography and IDPR.