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Urban Studies Foundation
@urbanstudiesfoundation.org
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We provide grant funding for innovative research projects that advance the frontiers of urban knowledge. Follow for news & updates. Read more on our website: https://urbanstudiesfoundation.org
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urbanstudiesfoundation.org
Urban Studies Foundation @urbanstudiesfoundation.org · Jan 7
⏰ Reminder: Urban Urgencies funding call now open

There’s still time to apply for the Urban Urgencies grant from the Urban Studies Foundation — supporting rapid, collaborative research on pressing urban challenges worldwide.

🗓️ Deadline: 23 March 2026 (23:59 UTC).

🔗 ow.ly/FUIn50XGtgz
USF flyer with USF logo for the Call for Applications "Urban Urgencies" Grant on a picture via Flickr by Hanif Omar, and the quote "The Urban Studies Foundation is launching a major new grant to support rapid-response collaborative research on the world’s most pressing urban challenges." USF flyer with USF logo for the Call for Applications "Urban Urgencies" Grant on a picture via Flickr by Hanif Omar, and the quote "The Urban Studies Foundation is launching a major new grant to support rapid-response collaborative research on the world’s most pressing urban challenges."
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
🌍 Next week in Benin!
Making connections: Learning from Elsewhere, Theorising from Africa
Seminar Two – CiAAF, Cotonou | 16–20 Feb 2026
Supported by #USFSeminarSeriesAwards
🔗 ow.ly/Bwjl50XVPBW
#UrbanStudies #TheorisingFromAfrica #DecentringKnowledge #ComparativeUrbanism
Flyer with USF logo for the event "Making connections: Learning from Elsewhere, Theorising from Africa" Seminar Two: Civic Academy for Africa’s Future (CiAAF), Benin, Cotonou 16 - 20 February 2026." and the text "The workshop in Benin will focus on how tracing connections from African contexts can help to build comparative insights on urban developments there, and how this methodology might be used to expand the conversation between scholars in Africa and Eastern Europe. " on a gray backround Flyer with USF logo for the event "Making connections: Learning from Elsewhere, Theorising from Africa" Seminar Two: Civic Academy for Africa’s Future (CiAAF), Benin, Cotonou 16 - 20 February 2026." and the text "The workshop in Benin will focus on how tracing connections from African contexts can help to build comparative insights on urban developments there, and how this methodology might be used to expand the conversation between scholars in Africa and Eastern Europe. " on a gray backround
February 9, 2026 at 8:30 AM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
📚 Out now in City, Culture and Society!

Following the #USFSeminarSeriesAwards "European Creative Cities and COVID-19" and the "Beyond the Creative City" project.
Edited by Abigail Gilmore, Claire Burnill-Maier, Lauren England, and Thuy Tran.

🔗 ow.ly/k5sZ50Y97pC
👉 ow.ly/wE1050Y97pB
Flyer with USF logo for the Special Issue "Cultural policy and urban cultural infrastructure beyond the creative city" by Abigail Gilmore, Lauren England, Thuy Tran, Claire Burnill-Maier. And the cover of the journal and the text "“The collection of research articles from international scholars provides empirical consideration and theoretical reflection on the ‘infrastructural turn’, challenging ideal-types of urban development that target cultural consumption and production for value extraction. Together they represent an attempt to move beyond the dominant, but often vague and contradictory, ‘creative city’ narratives informing cultural policy, and reframe discussions on the divergent contexts and practices of statecraft and urban entrepreneurialism across global North and South.” Flyer with USF logo for the Special Issue "Cultural policy and urban cultural infrastructure beyond the creative city" by Abigail Gilmore, Lauren England, Thuy Tran, Claire Burnill-Maier. And the cover of the journal and the text "“The collection of research articles from international scholars provides empirical consideration and theoretical reflection on the ‘infrastructural turn’, challenging ideal-types of urban development that target cultural consumption and production for value extraction. Together they represent an attempt to move beyond the dominant, but often vague and contradictory, ‘creative city’ narratives informing cultural policy, and reframe discussions on the divergent contexts and practices of statecraft and urban entrepreneurialism across global North and South.”
February 5, 2026 at 8:45 AM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
📢 Call for Participation!

#USFSeminarSeriesAwards "Walls speak—are you listening?" Join the Urban Surfaces Research Network for in-person workshops in Nicosia (May) and Uppsala (Aug).

Explore urban surfaces through theory, method, and practice.

🗓️ Deadline: 20 Feb 2026
👉 ow.ly/g2kt50Y7nXH
Flyer with USF logo for the Call for constributions "Urban Surface 2026: in person workshops" and the text "We are inviting expressions of interest to attend our two-day workshops in Nicosia, Cyprus and Uppsala, Sweden. These are part of an Urban Studies Foundation Seminar Series Award for the project “Walls speak. Are you listening? A research agenda for urban surfaces”. The workshops comprise presentations, co-writing and ideating sessions, and/ or site visits, and they are designed as small-scale, deep study sessions for approximately 20 participants. Deadline: February 20th, 2026 Nicosia, Cyprus and Uppsala, Sweden" on a picture of a graphitti by the organizers Flyer with USF logo for the Call for constributions "Urban Surface 2026: in person workshops" and the text "We are inviting expressions of interest to attend our two-day workshops in Nicosia, Cyprus and Uppsala, Sweden. These are part of an Urban Studies Foundation Seminar Series Award for the project “Walls speak. Are you listening? A research agenda for urban surfaces”. The workshops comprise presentations, co-writing and ideating sessions, and/ or site visits, and they are designed as small-scale, deep study sessions for approximately 20 participants. Deadline: February 20th, 2026 Nicosia, Cyprus and Uppsala, Sweden" on a picture of a graphitti by the organizers
February 2, 2026 at 8:00 AM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
⏰ Urban Urgencies call now open!

🗓️ Deadline: 23 March 2026 (23:59 UTC)

This new grant supports collaborative research on pressing urban challenges worldwide, addressing issues such as the climate crisis, housing, health, governance, conflict, AI, and more.

🔗 Learn more & apply: ow.ly/FUIn50XGtgz
Flyer with USF logo for the Urban Urgencies Call for Applications on a picture of a COP26 protest via flickr by Midia NINJA and the text "The Urban Studies Foundation is launching a major new grant to support rapid-response collaborative research on the world’s most pressing urban challenges. Up to £35,000 per project Open to researchers globally Requires partnership with at least one non-academic organisation 23 March 2026 at 23:59 UTC +0 Apply online" Flyer with USF logo for the Urban Urgencies Call for Applications on a picture of a COP26 protest via flickr by Midia NINJA and the text "The Urban Studies Foundation is launching a major new grant to support rapid-response collaborative research on the world’s most pressing urban challenges. Up to £35,000 per project Open to researchers globally Requires partnership with at least one non-academic organisation 23 March 2026 at 23:59 UTC +0 Apply online"
January 30, 2026 at 12:46 PM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
📢USF welcomes three new Trustees
The Urban Studies Foundation is pleased to welcome Bas van Heur, Neha Sami, and Mary Lawhon to its Board of Trustees. The USF looks forward to working with them as they help shape the Foundation’s future strategic direction and funding priorities.
👉 ow.ly/vvvT50Y4Fua
Flyer with USF logo and the text "USF welcomes three new Trustees" followed by the pictures and names of Bas van Heur Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Mary Lawhon University of Edinburgh, and Neha Sami Indian Institute for Human Settlements on a light blue background Flyer with USF logo and the text "USF welcomes three new Trustees" followed by the pictures and names of Bas van Heur Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Mary Lawhon University of Edinburgh, and Neha Sami Indian Institute for Human Settlements on a light blue background
January 28, 2026 at 10:30 AM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
📢 Upcoming Seminar: Urbicide in Palestine
Join the #USFSeminarSeries event on Jan 29, 17:00 (GMT+2)! 📢
It explores colonial planning and spatial violence with Abaher El-Sakka, Abdullah Al Bayyari & Maha Samman. Co-organised with Mada al-Carmel.
📍 Online 🌐 Arabic/English 🔗 ow.ly/Wpm450Y44vb
Flyer with USF logo for the seminar "Urbicide in Palestine. – A Sociological, Historical and Architectural Approach" on a Photo by Yousef Zaanoun/Activestills. And the text "The seminar will focus on the concept of urbicide in the Palestinian context, combining approaches from sociology, history, and architecture that put colonial planning at the centre of the analysis. Presentations: Urban and Architectural Genocide in Gaza: A Socio-Historical Reading Abaher El-Sakka, Birzeit University Disrupted Urbanity in Colonial Settlement: Planning as Urbicide Abdullah Al Bayyari, Institute for Palestine Studies, and the American University in Cairo. Systematic Dispossession: Towards Urbicide in Jerusalem Maha Samman, Al-Quds University Moderated by Himmat Zoubi, Mada al-Carmel 29th Jan 2026 17:00 - 19:00 (GMT+2) Online" Flyer with USF logo for the seminar "Urbicide in Palestine. – A Sociological, Historical and Architectural Approach" on a Photo by Yousef Zaanoun/Activestills. And the text "The seminar will focus on the concept of urbicide in the Palestinian context, combining approaches from sociology, history, and architecture that put colonial planning at the centre of the analysis. Presentations: Urban and Architectural Genocide in Gaza: A Socio-Historical Reading Abaher El-Sakka, Birzeit University Disrupted Urbanity in Colonial Settlement: Planning as Urbicide Abdullah Al Bayyari, Institute for Palestine Studies, and the American University in Cairo. Systematic Dispossession: Towards Urbicide in Jerusalem Maha Samman, Al-Quds University Moderated by Himmat Zoubi, Mada al-Carmel 29th Jan 2026 17:00 - 19:00 (GMT+2) Online"
January 27, 2026 at 9:45 AM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
📚 New paper out!
Check former #USFInternationalFellow Michael Osei Asibey and mentor Patrick Brandful Cobbinah's latest paper, "De-greening urbanism and social imaginaries in informal settlements", published in Urban Studies Journal
👉 doi.org/10.1177/0042...
Flyer with USF logo and cover of the paper "De-greening urbanism and social imaginaries in informal settlements" authored by Michael Osei Asibey and Patrick Brandful Cobbinah, and the quote "“We examine the phenomenon of de-greening urbanism within the context of social imaginaries in informal settlements, focusing on the city of Kumasi (Ghana). De-greening urbanism refers to an urban development process that displaces greenspace, contributing to its decline, deterioration, and loss, closely associated with the negatively changing character of a community. “ Flyer with USF logo and cover of the paper "De-greening urbanism and social imaginaries in informal settlements" authored by Michael Osei Asibey and Patrick Brandful Cobbinah, and the quote "“We examine the phenomenon of de-greening urbanism within the context of social imaginaries in informal settlements, focusing on the city of Kumasi (Ghana). De-greening urbanism refers to an urban development process that displaces greenspace, contributing to its decline, deterioration, and loss, closely associated with the negatively changing character of a community. “
January 21, 2026 at 8:30 AM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
👉Check also: Open Call for the Methods School on Housing Financialisation and Urban Commodification
Aimed at early-career researchers and urban studies professionals.
🗓️ Application deadline: January 29, 2026
🔗 ow.ly/ixeC50XZttH
January 19, 2026 at 9:00 AM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
📢 Call for Papers
Commodification & Resistances in Land and Housing
📍 PUCP, Lima | 🗓️ 14–16 Oct 2026
🌍 Global North–South dialogue
#USFSeminarSeriesAwards–funded event
⏰ Deadline: Feb 1

🔗 ow.ly/XTUF50XZtsQ
#UrbanStudies #HousingJustice #LandCommodification #CFP
Flyer with USF for the Call for Papers "Commodification and Resistances in Land and Housing:" and the text "This event is part of the Seminar Series Awards “Land commodification and housing affordability under capitalist urbanisation. Global dynamics and local resistance in Peru, the United Kingdom and the United States” This academic conference is concerned with the various manifestations of urban development and land commodification across the Global North and South. It is expected to bring together researchers and academics from around the world to debate, interrogate, and critique the current dynamics of urban development, the issue of land commodification, and its impact on access to housing in different regions." on a grey backroung. Flyer with USF for the Call for Papers "Commodification and Resistances in Land and Housing:" and the text "This event is part of the Seminar Series Awards “Land commodification and housing affordability under capitalist urbanisation. Global dynamics and local resistance in Peru, the United Kingdom and the United States” This academic conference is concerned with the various manifestations of urban development and land commodification across the Global North and South. It is expected to bring together researchers and academics from around the world to debate, interrogate, and critique the current dynamics of urban development, the issue of land commodification, and its impact on access to housing in different regions." on a grey backroung.
January 19, 2026 at 9:00 AM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
Stratification of housing wealth among China’s urban households - Urban Studies Foundation
In this guest post, Dr Can Cui describes the results of the research “Housing wealth accumulation and inequality in urban China”, funded by an International
ow.ly
January 16, 2026 at 8:45 AM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
🏘️ USF Blog!
In a new guest post, Dr Can Cui shares findings from the project “Housing wealth accumulation and inequality in urban China”, supported by a USF International Fellowship and developed at the University of Amsterdam under the mentorship of Prof. Richard Ronald.

🔗 ow.ly/vgQw50XXqIH
Flyer with USF logo for the USF Blog "Stratification of housing wealth among China’s urban households" with the text “Housing wealth constitutes a major component of household wealth across countries. In China in particular, with the advancement of housing reform and marketisation, the share of housing wealth in total household wealth has increased significantly. Housing has become the main channel through which residents share the dividends of economic growth, closely linked to the country’s institutional design.” on a picture of Shanghai by juliengomez via flickr Flyer with USF logo for the USF Blog "Stratification of housing wealth among China’s urban households" with the text “Housing wealth constitutes a major component of household wealth across countries. In China in particular, with the advancement of housing reform and marketisation, the share of housing wealth in total household wealth has increased significantly. Housing has become the main channel through which residents share the dividends of economic growth, closely linked to the country’s institutional design.” on a picture of Shanghai by juliengomez via flickr
January 16, 2026 at 8:45 AM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
📢 Online lecture | 16 Jan 2026, 11:30 (GMT)

Professor Beth Perry explores urban epistemics and the “epistemic tangles” shaping how cities are known, governed, and contested

Part of the #USFSeminarSeriesAwards "Epistemes of Non-Dominant Inhabitation."

👉 ow.ly/YbGj50XVfiC
Flyer with USF logo for the event "The Epistemic Tangles of Urban Inhabitation by Professor Beth Perry " with the text "In this lecture Professor Beth Perry will excavate foundational ideas, lexicons and practices of a new research field around ‘urban epistemics’, before providing some specific examples on how this produces particular “epistemic tangles” of urban inhabitation which shape how people come to know the city, how they are subjected to different processes of epistemic exclusion and knowledge politics; and what this means for researchers in different institutions, in the context of an equally exclusionary knowledge production system. This event is a part of the project ‘Epistemes of Non-Dominant Inhabitation: a seminar series for early-career and under-represented scholars to decenter urban knowledge’." on a light blue background. Flyer with USF logo for the event "The Epistemic Tangles of Urban Inhabitation by Professor Beth Perry " with the text "In this lecture Professor Beth Perry will excavate foundational ideas, lexicons and practices of a new research field around ‘urban epistemics’, before providing some specific examples on how this produces particular “epistemic tangles” of urban inhabitation which shape how people come to know the city, how they are subjected to different processes of epistemic exclusion and knowledge politics; and what this means for researchers in different institutions, in the context of an equally exclusionary knowledge production system. This event is a part of the project ‘Epistemes of Non-Dominant Inhabitation: a seminar series for early-career and under-represented scholars to decenter urban knowledge’." on a light blue background.
January 12, 2026 at 8:30 AM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
📍 Next week in Brussels!

🌆 Co-producing Alternative Urban Futures through Experimental Urbanism (
2nd Seminar of the #USFSeminarSeriesAwards)
🗓️ 15–16 January 2026

👉 More info and registration: ow.ly/qPoK50XTbYm
Flyer for the event "Co-producing Alternative Urban Futures through Experimental Urbanism 15 January 2026 to 16 January 2026 08:00 - 20:00 (GMT+1) Location: Vrije Universiteit Brussels, USquare campus, 229 Avenue de la Couronne, 1050 Brussels Language: English" and the text "Organisers: Dr Georgiana Varna, Dr Michael Crilly and Dr Karina Landman The event will consist of a dynamic exchange of ideas to solve complex ‘wicked problems’ and include a combination of talks from academics and practitioners involved in experimental urban projects together with workshops, site visits, and social events." Flyer for the event "Co-producing Alternative Urban Futures through Experimental Urbanism 15 January 2026 to 16 January 2026 08:00 - 20:00 (GMT+1) Location: Vrije Universiteit Brussels, USquare campus, 229 Avenue de la Couronne, 1050 Brussels Language: English" and the text "Organisers: Dr Georgiana Varna, Dr Michael Crilly and Dr Karina Landman The event will consist of a dynamic exchange of ideas to solve complex ‘wicked problems’ and include a combination of talks from academics and practitioners involved in experimental urban projects together with workshops, site visits, and social events."
January 8, 2026 at 8:30 AM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
⏰ Reminder: Urban Urgencies funding call now open

There’s still time to apply for the Urban Urgencies grant from the Urban Studies Foundation — supporting rapid, collaborative research on pressing urban challenges worldwide.

🗓️ Deadline: 23 March 2026 (23:59 UTC).

🔗 ow.ly/FUIn50XGtgz
USF flyer with USF logo for the Call for Applications "Urban Urgencies" Grant on a picture via Flickr by Hanif Omar, and the quote "The Urban Studies Foundation is launching a major new grant to support rapid-response collaborative research on the world’s most pressing urban challenges." USF flyer with USF logo for the Call for Applications "Urban Urgencies" Grant on a picture via Flickr by Hanif Omar, and the quote "The Urban Studies Foundation is launching a major new grant to support rapid-response collaborative research on the world’s most pressing urban challenges."
January 7, 2026 at 9:45 AM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
🔔 USF Blog!

Former #USFInternationalFellow Dr Nimas Maninggar shares insights from her research on selective inclusion in smart city programmes in Indonesia

Read the guest post 👉 ow.ly/9MlX50XRauL
Flyer with USF logo for the USF blog "Selective inclusion in the Indonesian smart city Project: whose inclusion counts?" on a picture of Visitors entering Kayutangan heritage kampung. Credit: Nimas Maninggar. And the quote "“With more and more cities jumping on the smart city bandwagon, inclusion in smart city programs has become of crucial importance, also in Indonesia. However, in practice, smart city programs tend to be ineffective in achieving inclusion.” Flyer with USF logo for the USF blog "Selective inclusion in the Indonesian smart city Project: whose inclusion counts?" on a picture of Visitors entering Kayutangan heritage kampung. Credit: Nimas Maninggar. And the quote "“With more and more cities jumping on the smart city bandwagon, inclusion in smart city programs has become of crucial importance, also in Indonesia. However, in practice, smart city programs tend to be ineffective in achieving inclusion.”
January 5, 2026 at 7:00 AM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
👉 New on the #USFBlog 🥂

In this guest blog, Naama Blatman, Sage Ponder & Suraya Scheba reflect on "Reparative Urban Futures," a #USF-supported workshop bringing scholars and community organisers together to rethink infrastructure, abolition, and repair from the ground up.

📖 ow.ly/tHov50XMIY2
Flyer with USF logo for the USF blog "Reparative urban futures: reconfiguring infrastructures and institutions towards liberation" and the quote "“Communities are already doing the critical work of repairing urban infrastructure while envisioning pathways towards reparative futures. As scholars, we must go beyond simply learning and documenting what communities are doing; they are not just knowledge holders. They are knowledge producers and grounded city planners. “ on a Illustration from ‘Threads and Seeds,’ zine prepared for the Reparative Urban Futures community forum, by Anna Carlson, shared with permission. Copyright Flyer with USF logo for the USF blog "Reparative urban futures: reconfiguring infrastructures and institutions towards liberation" and the quote "“Communities are already doing the critical work of repairing urban infrastructure while envisioning pathways towards reparative futures. As scholars, we must go beyond simply learning and documenting what communities are doing; they are not just knowledge holders. They are knowledge producers and grounded city planners. “ on a Illustration from ‘Threads and Seeds,’ zine prepared for the Reparative Urban Futures community forum, by Anna Carlson, shared with permission. Copyright
December 22, 2025 at 9:45 AM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
📚 New publication!

Former #USFInternationalFellow Deborah Fromm has a new article out: “The business of protection: Insuring urban violence risks in contemporary Brazil.”

🔗 Read more: doi.org/10.1080/0308...

#UrbanStudies #Financialization #Brazil
Flyer with USF logo for the paper "The business of protection: Insuring urban violence risks in contemporary Brazil" and the quote "Drawing on ethnographic research with both major insurers and small players in this protection market, this paper examines how financial institutions navigate high-risk urban environments and sheds light on the effects of the financialization of security. It argues that, beyond actuarial rationality, the everyday practices of insurance governance also rely on the outsourcing of violence and on the entrepreneurialization of the public forces of order." on a grey backround. Flyer with USF logo for the paper "The business of protection: Insuring urban violence risks in contemporary Brazil" and the quote "Drawing on ethnographic research with both major insurers and small players in this protection market, this paper examines how financial institutions navigate high-risk urban environments and sheds light on the effects of the financialization of security. It argues that, beyond actuarial rationality, the everyday practices of insurance governance also rely on the outsourcing of violence and on the entrepreneurialization of the public forces of order." on a grey backround.
December 19, 2025 at 9:45 AM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
🌱 New post!
This week, Anant Maringanti, Nausheen Anwar & Aalok Khandekar introduce their #USFSeminarSeriesAwards project "Ordinary Ecologies of Repair", bringing youth across Karachi, Dhaka, Delhi, Chennai & Hyderabad together to rethink climate adaptation.

🔗 ow.ly/cUoq50XJo0h
Flyer with USF Logo for the USF Blog "Ordinary ecologies of repair: youth, urbanity, and environmental change in South Asia" on a picture of a Community space created by neighborhood youth on the edge of a historic lake now covered in water hyacinth - an invasive water plant -Hyderabad Credit: Hyderabad Urban Lab and the quote "“Across South Asia, the climate crisis is not a future condition. It structures the present. Young people are already negotiating heat, polluted air, saline intrusion, and recurring floods. Yet policy discourse continues to frame them only as vulnerable dependents or as a symbolic “future generation” who will someday fix the world.” Flyer with USF Logo for the USF Blog "Ordinary ecologies of repair: youth, urbanity, and environmental change in South Asia" on a picture of a Community space created by neighborhood youth on the edge of a historic lake now covered in water hyacinth - an invasive water plant -Hyderabad Credit: Hyderabad Urban Lab and the quote "“Across South Asia, the climate crisis is not a future condition. It structures the present. Young people are already negotiating heat, polluted air, saline intrusion, and recurring floods. Yet policy discourse continues to frame them only as vulnerable dependents or as a symbolic “future generation” who will someday fix the world.”
December 16, 2025 at 9:45 AM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
📣 Call for Papers!

Tensions in policy learning: Grounding learning practices in urban Southeast Asia
🗓️ 3–5 June 2026
📍 Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII), Depok
📝 Apply by 16 January 2026
👉 ow.ly/KcN450XH1o3
Funded by the #USFSeminarSeriesAwards
Flyer with USF logo for the Call for papers "Tensions in policy learning: grounding learning practices in urban Southeast Asia" and the text "To understand how these tensions manifest in practice requires examining how different Southeast Asian cities adapt foreign frameworks to local socio-political conditions. Through comparative case studies, the Seminar Series invites participants to assess how cities balance global best practices with domestic pressures, cultural factors, and institutional constraints. Whether in urban design, economic strategies, technological deployment, or sustainability measures, policy transfer outcomes hinge largely on a delicate process of negotiation— one that ultimately shapes how “learning from abroad” is realised and resisted in the region." Deadline: January 16th, 2026 Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) in Depok, Indonesia. On a grey backround" Flyer with USF logo for the Call for papers "Tensions in policy learning: grounding learning practices in urban Southeast Asia" and the text "To understand how these tensions manifest in practice requires examining how different Southeast Asian cities adapt foreign frameworks to local socio-political conditions. Through comparative case studies, the Seminar Series invites participants to assess how cities balance global best practices with domestic pressures, cultural factors, and institutional constraints. Whether in urban design, economic strategies, technological deployment, or sustainability measures, policy transfer outcomes hinge largely on a delicate process of negotiation— one that ultimately shapes how “learning from abroad” is realised and resisted in the region." Deadline: January 16th, 2026 Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) in Depok, Indonesia. On a grey backround"
December 12, 2025 at 8:15 AM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
📢 New USF Funding: Urban Urgencies

The Urban Studies Foundation is launching a major new grant to support rapid-response collaborative research on the world’s most pressing urban challenges.

💷 Up to £35,000
🤝 Requires partnership with a non-academic organisation
🗓️ 23 Mar 2026

🔗 ow.ly/FUIn50XGtgz
Flyer with USF logo for the Call for Applications "Urban Urgencies" on a picture of a grafitti via flickr by Julia Tulke and the text "The Urban Studies Foundation is launching a major new grant to support rapid-response collaborative research on the world’s most pressing urban challenges. Up to £35,000 per project Open to researchers globally Requires partnership with at least one non-academic organisation 23 March 2026 at 23:59 UTC +0 Apply online" Flyer with USF logo for the Call for Applications "Urban Urgencies" on a picture of a grafitti via flickr by Julia Tulke and the text "The Urban Studies Foundation is launching a major new grant to support rapid-response collaborative research on the world’s most pressing urban challenges. Up to £35,000 per project Open to researchers globally Requires partnership with at least one non-academic organisation 23 March 2026 at 23:59 UTC +0 Apply online"
December 10, 2025 at 12:30 PM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
🌍 New on the #USFBlog!
Former #USFInternationalFellow Michael Osei Asibey reflects on his research into informal e-waste recycling and nature-based solutions for climate resilience, carried out under the mentorship of Patrick Brandful Cobbinah.
👉 ow.ly/cpNl50XExCZ

#NatureBasedSolutions #Ewaste
Flyer with USF logo for the USF Blog "Extending the dialogue of informality, e-waste, and nature-based solutions" and the quote "“While I was aware that informal systems, particularly in waste management, are central to livelihoods in cities like Accra and Kumasi, I had not fully explored their potential to contribute to climate adaptation through ecological approaches. The Fellowship offered me the space, resources, and intellectual community to advance this agenda, and in the process, to situate African urban experiences more centrally within global urban studies debates.” on a picture by Keron Achiaa Flyer with USF logo for the USF Blog "Extending the dialogue of informality, e-waste, and nature-based solutions" and the quote "“While I was aware that informal systems, particularly in waste management, are central to livelihoods in cities like Accra and Kumasi, I had not fully explored their potential to contribute to climate adaptation through ecological approaches. The Fellowship offered me the space, resources, and intellectual community to advance this agenda, and in the process, to situate African urban experiences more centrally within global urban studies debates.” on a picture by Keron Achiaa
December 8, 2025 at 8:30 AM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
🚨 New #USFSeminarSeries event!

"Coproducing a research agenda for responsible and transparent AI-capabilities for decision support in urban governance" (SS25.AI4UG)

📅 “What AI for Urban Governance?”
📍 Suffolk University, Boston
🗓️ 8–10 Dec 2025

🔗 ow.ly/eO2a50XExYO
Flyer with USF logo for the Event "What AI for Urban Governance " and the text "First seminar of the Seminar Series SS25.AI4UG “Coproducing a research agenda for responsible and transparent AI-capabilities for decision support in urban governance” , funded by the Urban Studies Foundation (USF-SSA-250604), aims at promoting an urgently needed transdisciplinary academic debate with academics and urban governance practitioners on the development of a coproduced research agenda for new responsible and transparent AI capabilities for accessible decision support for urban governance. Keynote speakers include: Christopher Zegras, Head of DUSP at MIT Santiago Garcés, CIO, City of Boston" on a ligh blue backround. Flyer with USF logo for the Event "What AI for Urban Governance " and the text "First seminar of the Seminar Series SS25.AI4UG “Coproducing a research agenda for responsible and transparent AI-capabilities for decision support in urban governance” , funded by the Urban Studies Foundation (USF-SSA-250604), aims at promoting an urgently needed transdisciplinary academic debate with academics and urban governance practitioners on the development of a coproduced research agenda for new responsible and transparent AI capabilities for accessible decision support for urban governance. Keynote speakers include: Christopher Zegras, Head of DUSP at MIT Santiago Garcés, CIO, City of Boston" on a ligh blue backround.
December 6, 2025 at 3:25 PM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
📢 Call for Papers now open!

Seminar Two: Civic Academy for Africa’s Future (CiAAF), Cotonou, Benin
📅 16–20 February 2026
Part of the #USFSeminarSeriesAwards "Urban Politics and Negotiated Stateliness: Comparative perspectives across Africa and Eastern Europe"

🔎 CFP (EN/FR): ow.ly/AxLy50XBGig
Flyer with USF logo for the event "Making connections: Learning from Elsewhere, Theorising from Africa" and the text "The workshop in Benin will focus on how tracing connections from African contexts can help to build comparative insights on urban developments there, and how this methodology might be used to expand the conversation between scholars in Africa and Eastern Europe. Deadline: December 31st, 2025 Civic Academy for Africa’s Future (CiAAF), Benin, Cotonou" or a picture taken by the Organizers. Flyer with USF logo for the event "Making connections: Learning from Elsewhere, Theorising from Africa" and the text "The workshop in Benin will focus on how tracing connections from African contexts can help to build comparative insights on urban developments there, and how this methodology might be used to expand the conversation between scholars in Africa and Eastern Europe. Deadline: December 31st, 2025 Civic Academy for Africa’s Future (CiAAF), Benin, Cotonou" or a picture taken by the Organizers.
December 5, 2025 at 7:01 AM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
📘 New Publication!

We’re delighted to share "African Urban Creativity: Exploring Creative Economies Within and Beyond Cities" — a new edited volume by Lauren England and Estrella Sendra, emerging from a #USFSeminarSeriesAwards.
📖 ow.ly/xGUq50XAJXQ

🔗 Project:
ow.ly/qxsp50XAJXP
USF flyer for the book "African Urban Creativity Exploring Creative Economies Within and Beyond Cities" Edited By Lauren England, Estrella Sendra and the quote "The edited collection, African Urban Creativity: Exploring Creative Economies Within and Beyond the Cities, seeks to contribute to understanding creative economies in Africa, specifically the urban dynamics of creativity and the urbanisation of the creative economy. In doing so, it also acknowledges the role of the periphery and rural settings within their inputs and dialogic relation to the city." USF flyer for the book "African Urban Creativity Exploring Creative Economies Within and Beyond Cities" Edited By Lauren England, Estrella Sendra and the quote "The edited collection, African Urban Creativity: Exploring Creative Economies Within and Beyond the Cities, seeks to contribute to understanding creative economies in Africa, specifically the urban dynamics of creativity and the urbanisation of the creative economy. In doing so, it also acknowledges the role of the periphery and rural settings within their inputs and dialogic relation to the city."
December 3, 2025 at 8:15 AM
urbanstudiesfoundation.org
✨ USF Blog!

How do young people’s everyday movements shape urban life across Africa & Asia?

In a USF-funded project, Dr Min Tang, Anuj Daga & Dr Ying Cheng explore Cartographies of Care—a Pretoria-based workshop mapping women’s journeys, stories & practices of care.

👉 ow.ly/BSA750Xzblm
Flyer for USF blog with USF logo for the workshop "Cartographies of care: mapping women’s everyday journeys and stories across downtown Pretoria" and the quote “The workshop sought to reimagine mapping as storytelling through the lens of women’s everyday practices of care. Public spaces in South African cities, particularly in downtown Pretoria, continue to be marked by the legacies of apartheid and persistent inequalities. Yet these same spaces are animated by practices of resilience, adaptation, and solidarity. Women’s movements across the city—whether walking, waiting, or making detours—are not only acts of necessity and survival but also crucial forms of care, for themselves and for others“. On a picture by YOTM Team Flyer for USF blog with USF logo for the workshop "Cartographies of care: mapping women’s everyday journeys and stories across downtown Pretoria" and the quote “The workshop sought to reimagine mapping as storytelling through the lens of women’s everyday practices of care. Public spaces in South African cities, particularly in downtown Pretoria, continue to be marked by the legacies of apartheid and persistent inequalities. Yet these same spaces are animated by practices of resilience, adaptation, and solidarity. Women’s movements across the city—whether walking, waiting, or making detours—are not only acts of necessity and survival but also crucial forms of care, for themselves and for others“. On a picture by YOTM Team
December 1, 2025 at 8:01 AM