Professor James Esson

Profile

I am a critical scholar who tries to use a geographical lens to explore, question, and improve the world around us. My scholarship is primarily, but not exclusively, motivated by an interest in working with Black populations located in the 'conspicuous margins,' a term I use to describe people and places that, despite their importance and visibility, often exist on the periphery or outskirts of mainstream attention or discourse. These people and places may be overlooked, marginalized, or underrepresented in a range of ways, but I believe they hold unique insights, experiences, and perspectives that are valuable and deserve recognition. I consider exploring these "conspicuous margins" to be an essential aspect of critical geography, revealing hidden narratives and contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the world. 

Teaching

My teaching approach is grounded in bringing together critical pedagogies and geographical thought. I try to create learning and teaching environments where students explore and question the world around them. I also use varied forms of assessment that challenge students to apply their knowledge in dynamic ways, and hopefully also helps to prepare them for opportunities after their degree.  

I am currently contributing to the following undergraduate and postgraduate modules 

• GEG515 Development Geographies: From International to Global Perspectives 

• GEG6099 Dissertation 
• GEG7137 Re-theorizing Global Development 
• GEG7120 Geographic Thought and Practice 

I was the recipient of the RGS-IBG Taylor and Francis Award for contributions to teaching and learning in higher education, and was a member of the Advisory Group for the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Geography. I am currently the External Examiner for Newcastle University’s undergraduate degree programmes (human geography), and an External Assessor for the Open University.  

Research

Research Interests:

Broadly speaking, my research cuts across development, political, and population geography, and I'm also interested in higher education as a field of inquiry.  

My current and recent research projects include: 

Geographies of erasure and silencing 

This new area of research investigates the systemic silencing and erasure of Black scholars(hip). I am critically examining citational practices and exploring their role in perpetuating racist dynamics within academia. Additionally, I am interested in questions of plagiarism, addressing broader themes of academic integrity and equitable recognition for scholars from diverse backgrounds. This work is funded by an Antipode Right to the Discipline grant.  

Irregular mobilities and migration management 

My longstanding research in this area examines the relationship between global inequality and irregular forms of mobility e.g., human trafficking. I've received funding for this research from the ESRC and UNICEF. I am currently concluding a British Academy research grant that investigated the production, credibility, and use of migration statistics to monitor migrant populations. 

Unconventional approaches to development  

I'm investigating the effectiveness of sport, art, and cultural programs in promoting environmental sustainability and social justice. This research is supported by the ESRC-DFID Development Frontiers Research Fund. I was recently involved in a project funded by the Higher Education Innovation Fund, which aimed to foster decolonial philanthropic practices through collaborations with higher education institutions in Africa. Resources can be found here 

Urban dynamics in Africa 

I'm exploring relationships between aging, transport, and urban dynamics in Africa. This work builds on previous research conducted as part of the ESRC-DFID Urban Growth and Poverty in Mining Africa (UPIMA) research program, as well as research conducted within the EU-FP7 African Rural-City Connections project. 

Publications

You can view and access some of my key publications below.

Darby P, Esson J & Ungruhe C (2022) African football migration: aspirations, experiences and trajectories. Manchester University Press.  

Esson J, Amankwaa EF & Mensah P (2021) Boys are tired! Youth, urban struggles, and retaliatory patriarchy, Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 46:193–207 DOI: 10.1111/tran.12411.  

McQuaid, K, Esson, J, Gough, KV, & Wignall, R (2021) Navigating old age and the urban terrain: Geographies of ageing from Africa, Progress in Human Geography, 45(4) 814–833  DOI: 10.1177/0309132520948956.  

Esson, J (2020) Playing the victim? Human trafficking, African youth, and geographies of structural inequality, Population, Space and Place, DOI: 10.1002/psp.2309.  

Esson, J., & Last, A. (2020). Anti‐racist learning and teaching in British geography. Area, 52(4), 668-677. 

Esson J (2020) ‘The why and the white’: Racism and curriculum reform in British Geography, Area, 52, 708-715  DOI: 10.1111/area.12475.  

Blazek M, Esson J & Smith D (2019) Relational geographies of human trafficking: inequality, manoeuvring and im/mobility across space and time, Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 44(1), 63-78  

Esson J, Noxolo P, Baxter R, Daley P & Byron M (2017) The 2017 RGS-IBG chair’s theme: decolonising geographical knowledges, or reproducing coloniality? Area, 49(3), pp.384-388  

Esson J, Gough KV, Simon D, Amankwaa E, Ninot O & Yankson, PWK (2016) Livelihoods in motion: linking transport, mobility and income-generating activities, Journal of Transport Geography, 55, 182-188   

Esson, J. (2015). Better off at home? Rethinking responses to trafficked West African footballers in Europe. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 41(3), 512-530. 

Esson, J. (2015). Escape to victory: Development, youth entrepreneurship and the migration of Ghanaian footballers. Geoforum, 64, 47-55. 

Public Engagement

I am committed to public engagement and actively seek opportunities to share my research beyond the confines of academia. I believe in the transformative potential of critical geographical knowledge when it is made accessible to a wider audience. Through various public engagement initiatives, I aim to bridge the gap between scholarly insights and the broader community. Whether it's through talks, blogs, reports, podcasts or collaborative workshops, I am passionate about fostering meaningful dialogues and ensuring that the research I conduct has a positive impact on society at large. Especially as much of my research takes place with marginalised populations. This commitment reflects my belief in the importance of making academic work relevant and accessible. 

Here are some indicative activities and resources 

Invited expert speaker – Workshop on Actions to Prevent Human Trafficking through Sport, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, London; UK - February 2022 

Esson, J, Darby, P, Drywood, E, Mason, C, Yilmaz, S, Hann, M, Lee, JJ (2020) Children before players - Protecting and realising children's rights: A guide for professional football clubs, UNICEF UK 

RGS-IBG Geography now podcasts - The irregular migration of West African males to Europe and issues of race within British geography - July 2020 

Invited speaker - All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sport, Modern Slavery and Human Rights, House of Lords, London; UK - July 2019 

Fundraising in African HE – http://www.fundraisingafrica.lboro.ac.uk; this site provides access to a mobile app, podcasts and other digital resources 

Invited speaker - Children’s Rights, Recruitment and Transfer of Minors: Can more be done for young African athletes? Kenya Academy of Sports, Nairobi; Kenya - May 2019 

Esson, J., Darby, P., Drywood, E., Mason, C., & Yilmaz, S. (2017). Children before players: Current risks and future research agendas. 

Plenary - NGOs and Academia in the fight against human trafficking: Current partnerships and Challenges, Babson College (USA) Freedom Collaborative's Webinar Series, October 2017 

Panellist – Ahilan Ratnamohan’s ‘Michael Essien I want to play as you’ Sick Festival at the Contact Theatre Manchester - March 2017 

Keynote speaker - Protecting young footballers in Africa, Foot Solidaire Workshop, Dakar; Senegal, December 2015 

Esson, J. (2015): ‘Modern slavery, child trafficking, and the rise of West African football academies’. Open Democracy. Available at https://www.opendemocracy.net/beyondslavery/james-esson/modern-slavery-child-trafficking-and-rise-of-west-african-football-academi