Dr Kye Askins

Senior Lecturer in Human Geography 

Pre-academic life, I held a variety of posts in the voluntary sector, in particular within the ‘homelessness’ and ‘mental health’ spheres. I then studied for a BSc in Environmental Management at Manchester Metropolitan University (graduated 1996), and enjoyed a career in the community composting world for a few years.

My PhD research was undertaken at the University of Durham (completed 2005), and focused on the perceptions and use of the English national parks by people from Asian and African Caribbean backgrounds. Funded through the Economic and Social Research Council, with the North York Moors as collaborative partners, research outcomes included policy recommendations for the National Park Authorities, available on-line (see Publications page).

I would describe myself foremost as a ‘critical geographer’, working and teaching from post-colonial and feminist perspectives. Through both my employment and academic experiences, I strongly believe in a holistic approach to environmental and social agendas for transformative action on either. I am especially interested in participatory approaches to research and policy-making, as well as the role of the academic in public engagement (see Research page).
 

Academic Positions

• Chair of the international Participatory Geography Research Group (PyGyRG) of the Royal Geographic Society (RGS)
• Co-Chair of the national Citizenship Working Group of the Geographical Association (GA)
• Invited member of the ESRC Peer Review College
• Peer reviewer for a range of journals including Antipode; AREA; Emotion, Space & Society; Social & Cultural Geography.
• ESRC rapporteur for completed research projects
• Expert reviewer for the Big Lottery Fund.