Geographic Protest: The Role of Counter-Mapping in Supporting Campaigns Against Large-Scale Extractive Projects in Colombia: The Case of La Colosa

In a few short years, social movements in Cajamarca, Colombia, were able to convince a once divided community almost unanimously to reject the establishment of the world’s largest gold mine on their doorstep. This paper examines the role of contestatory cartography in achieving this remarkable result. It explores the range of mapping and counter-mapping tools used... Continue Reading →

October 3, 2018

Neogeography, development and human rights in Latin America.

Latin America has a long history of exploitation and oppression of populations, moreover it has been suggested that the ‘postcolonial’ quest for rapid national `modernization’ has led to an increase in the extractive, neoliberal, policies of corporations and governments working across the region (Bryant, 1998: 85). Rarely, however, has this been taken lying down. Social... Continue Reading →

January 3, 2018

Richard Dorsett

Richard Dorsett's main research interest and relevant expertise are related to programme and policy evaluation. His specialization is in impact analysis using randomized control trials and a range of non-experimental techniques, and he has carried out numerous studies, principally in the policy areas of the labour market, welfare, education and training. Position: Professor, School of... Continue Reading →

August 10, 2017

Karen Jackson

Karen Jackson's research focusses on international trade policy, with a specific focus on economic integration/disintegration. Recent publications explore the Chinese-led Belt and Road Initiative (China Economic Review) and the historical context of regional trade institutions in West Africa (Journal of International Development). She has extensive experience of engaging with the media, where her articles in... Continue Reading →

June 10, 2017

Sebastian Kevany

Sebastian Kevany has conducted over 100 missions to Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, with a particular focus on conflict and post-conflict settings, including Iraq, South Sudan, Afghanistan, and Sierra Leone. In these settings, he conducted evaluation, diplomatic, and representative duties. Sebastian holds BA and MA degrees from Trinity College Dublin, an MPH degree from... Continue Reading →

May 10, 2017

Gold, power, protest: Digital and social media and protests against large-scale mining projects in Colombia

Colombia’s Internet connectivity has increased immensely. Colombia has also ‘opened for business’, leading to an influx of extractive projects to which social movements object heavily. Studies on the role of digital media in political mobilisation in developing countries are still scarce. Using surveys, interviews, and reviews of literature, policy papers, website and social media content,... Continue Reading →

May 3, 2017

Serena Masino

Serena Masino’s research areas are in the political economy of development and global health. Her latest work concentrates, on the one hand, on the political economy of globalisation with a specific focus on workers' inclusion and, on the other hand, on the governance of pluralistic health systems in Africa. She has also worked as consultant... Continue Reading →

April 30, 2017

Doug Specht

Doug Specht is a Chartered Geographer (CGeog. FRGS) and a Senior Lecturer (SFHEA) at the Communication and Media Research Institute, within the University of Westminster. His research examines how knowledge is constructed and codified through digital and cartographic artefacts, focusing on development issues, and he has written on this subject in numerous books and papers.... Continue Reading →

January 1, 2017

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Author: Doug Specht