Professor Nicola Ansell
Professor - Human Geography
Marie Jahoda 204
- Email: nicola.ansell@brunel.ac.uk
- Tel: +44 (0)1895 266085
- Anthropology
- Social Science and Communications
- College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences
Summary
Since I arrived at Brunel in 1999, my interests have focused on social and cultural change in the lives of young people in the Global South (particularly southern Africa). I have researched the impacts of AIDS on young people’s migration; how education sectors are adjusting to the needs of AIDS-affected young people; and the impacts of AIDS on young people’s current livelihoods and future food security. Recently, I have completed two research projects. The first examines the impacts of social cash transfers (for instance old age pensions and child grants) on generational relations in Malawi and Lesotho. The second investigates links between education and aspiration in remote rural areas of Lesotho, Laos and India. I have also authored a book on Children, youth and development (second edition published 2016) and launched an MA programme on Children, Youth and International Development.
Qualifications
MA (University of Cambridge)
PhD (Keele University)
Responsibility
Administrative Responsibilities:
- REF Coordinator, Sociology
Newest selected publications
Hajdu, F., van Blerk, L., Ansell, N., Hemsteede, R., Mwathunga, E., Hlabana, T. and et al. (2024) 'Livelihood Trajectories of Rural Young People in Southern Africa: Stuck in Loops?'. Development and Change, 55 (3). pp. 465 - 492. ISSN: 0012-155X Open Access Link
Ansell, N., Froerer, P. and Huijsmans, R. (2022) 'Young People’s Aspirations in an Uncertain World: Taking Control of the Future?'. Sociological Research Online, 27 (4). pp. 795 - 802. ISSN: 1360-7804 Open Access Link
Ansell, N., Mwathunga, E., Hajdu, F., Robson, E., Hlabana, T., van Blerk, L. and et al. (2022) 'Ethical principles, social harm and the economic relations of research: negotiating ethics committee requirements and community expectations in ethnographic research in rural Malawi'. Qualitative Inquiry, 29 (6). pp. 725 - 736. ISSN: 1077-8004 Open Access Link
Ansell, N. and Dungey, C. (2022) 'Schooling young people for the Anthropocene? Land, livestock and learning in rural Lesotho', in Kraftl, P., Kelly, P., Carbajo Padilla, D., Noonan, M., Ribeiro, AS., MacDonald, D. and et al. (eds.) Young People and Stories for the Anthropocene. London : Rowman and Littlefield. ISBN 10: 1-5381-5364-5. ISBN 13: 978-1-5381-5364-2. Open Access Link
Froerer, P., Ansell, N. and Huijsmans, R. (2022) 'Sacrifice, suffering and hope: education, aspiration and young people’s affective orientations to the future'. Ethnography and Education, 17 (3). pp. 179 - 185. ISSN: 1745-7823 Open Access Link