Vanessa Galeano-Duque's research combines urban analytics, spatial data science, applied econometrics, and artificial intelligence to understand how cities evolve and how public policies can reduce social, spatial, and environmental inequalities.

Vanessa completed her PhD in Development Policy at University College London, where she examined the mechanisms through which local infrastructure and employment interventions contributed to neighbourhood-levelsocial mobility and reductions in urban inequalities in Medellín, Colombia. Before joining UBDC, she held research positions at Heriot-Watt University, the London School of Economics, University College London, and the World Bank, leading and contributing to interdisciplinary projects on urban policy, health, transport, and spatial inequalities.

At UBDC, Vanessa is currently contributing to Work Package 1 of the PACHA (Participatory Analytics for Climate-Health Adaptation in Disadvantaged Urban Communities in Brazil) project.

Within this work package, she supports the design and implementation of participatory analytics methods that integrate citizen-generated and administrative data to improve climate-health adaptation in vulnerable urban communities. Her work includes the co-development of participatory digital platforms, community data generation methodologies, and Participatory Urban Living Labs that connect local communities, policymakers, and researchers to co-produce evidence for equitable climate adaptation.

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Research Associate