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Jelke  Boesten

Professor Jelke Boesten

Associate Dean Doctoral Studies

  • Professor in Gender and Development

Research interests

  • Equality
  • International development
  • Policy
  • Politics

Biography

Jelke has an MA in History and a PhD in Gender Studies from the University of Amsterdam. Prior to joining King’s, she held a research position at the University of Bradford, Departments of International Development (2004-06) and Peace Studies (2006-07), and a lectureship at the University of Leeds in Politics and International Studies (2007-2013).

In 2011-12, she held a Jennings Randolph Senior Fellowship at the US Institute of Peace, Washington DC. She was offered an Alberto Flores Galindo Visiting Professorship, Pontifícia Universidad Católica del Perú, for 2021, and a Visiting Fellowship at the Centre for Latin American Research and Documentation (CEDLA) in Amsterdam.

Over the years, Jelke has looked at different aspects of violence against women in war and in peace, social policy and transitional justice, and persistent intersecting inequalities, particularly in Peru. 

At King’s, she founded and convenes the Gender Studies Network as well as co-convenes the Visual and Embodied Methodologies (VEM) network. The most recent project coming out of VEM is the exploratory and collaborative arts-based research project called Imaging Social Justice.  

Research

Jelke’s current research focuses on transformative gender justice in post conflict societies – the idea that interventions to address gendered injustice, such as violence against women and girls, should aim to transform the social, political and economic relations that underpin the possibility of violence.

She worked on a collaborative project exploring the transformative potential of memorial arts and symbolic reparation.

Currently, she is working on a research project with Peruvian veterans of the Internal Armed Conflict (1980-2000). The project seeks to understand veterans’ perspectives on perpetrating gendered violence in and beyond armed conflict, funded by the British Academy. The project has co-produced some extraordinary images -paintings that reflect the narratives of ex-combatants.

Teaching

PhD supervision

Jelke is interested in supervising students focusing on the following research areas:

  • Gender and social policy
  • Gender based violence in war and/or the everyday
  • Intersecting inequalities
  • Gender and transformative justice
  • Social development and emancipatory processes

See the full list of Jelke's current and existing PhD students

Further details

See Jelke's research profile

Research

Gender Studies logo
Gender Studies at King's

Bringing together like-minded scholars and students from across King's to examine the influence of gender relations..

urban geography
Creative Contestations and Social Justice research group

This research group is concerned with social justice – spanning questions of equity and fairness, rights, accountabilities, participation, and inclusion. Our group members have a shared orientation towards critical scholarship and activism, and are committed to creative and interdisciplinary approaches. 

NewVEMMain
Visual Embodied Methodologies Network

Creating spaces of knowledge-exchange and research excellence around visual, embodied and art-based methodologies within, across and beyond Social Sciences.

VEMHeroImage
Intersectional Gendered Violence

The project looks at sexual harassment against and among young people, resistance & activism among migrant women and conflict-related gendered trauma and pain.

Project status: Ongoing

241121 4CAT
KingsCAT: Capture and Analysis Tool for Social Media Research at King’s College London

KingsCAT is an instance of the open source 4CAT: Capture and Analysis Toolkit set up to support interdisciplinary and collaborative social media research.

Project status: Ongoing

Arts and conflict hub page
Arts & Conflict Hub

The Arts & Conflicts hub uses artistic mediums to communicate, teach and research the complexities of conflict

masks on stalks 780x440
Performance@King's

Performance@King’s is a cross-college performance and theatre research and teaching grouping.

News

Joint supervisors win Faculty Supervisory Excellence Awards

Dr Emma Towers and Professor Meg Maguire have jointly won the Supervisory Excellence Award 2024 for the Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy.

EmmaMeg2024SSPPSEAward

COMMENT: Peruvian former soldiers convicted for rapes committed four decades ago in rare legal victory

Professor Jelke Boesten reflects on the implications of Peru's historic ruling for justice in conflict-related sexual violence globally.

Silhouette of three soldiers holding rifles

Awards for SSPP research making the world a better place

The Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy (SSPP) held its 2024 Impact Awards to recognise and celebrate impactful research.

SSPP Impact prize 2024 winners

Research on violence in Peruvian military culture receives awards

The British Academy-funded research by Professor Jelke Boesten examined the role of sex and violence in military culture.

Book cover of 'Dogs and Mates' by Professor Jelke Boesten and Dr Lurgio Gavilán

Immersive soundscape and reading of the final report of the Colombian Truth Commission

The Visual Embodied Methodologies (VEM) network with former commissioner Alejandro Castillejo, hosted a ritualized reading of Colombia’s Truth Commission...

1 December 2023, VEM on the verge event, reading by Alejandro Castillejo, former commissioner

ESRC Methods grant for innovative projects analysing the experience of gendered violence

The Visual and Embodied Methodologies (VEM) Network at King’s has secured funding for projects on sexual harassment, conflict-related gendered trauma,...

Image showing the logo for the Visual Embodied Methodologies network

New book throws light on military culture that enabled sexual violence in Peru

The book, co-authored by Professor Jelke Boesten, explores the experiences of army veterans during the internal conflict in Peru.

Book cover of 'Dogs and Mates' by Professor Jelke Boesten and Dr Lurgio Gavilán

New book explores women's inspirational strategies for tackling growing gender-based violence

Cathy McIlwaine, Vice Dean Research, SSPP and Professor of Geography, and Jelke Boesten, Associate Dean (Doctoral Studies) SSPP and Professor in Gender and...

Women Resisting Violence podcast logo

Women Resisting Violence – King's launches new podcast series

King’s academics, in collaboration with the Latin America Bureau, launch a new three-part podcast series which hears the extraordinary experiences of women...

Women Resisting Violence podcast logo

Visualising the margins through visual, embodied and arts-based methodologies

The recent 'Visualising the margins' exhibition saw the launch of the Visual, Embodied, and Arts-based Methodologies (VEM) network.

Visualising the margins: Gendered perspectives' exhibition at King's College London

Events

13Sep

Veminism Symposium

Explore Visual and Embodied Methodologies against Gendered Violence at our one-day symposium featuring art, activism and debate

02Jul

Veminism: Exhibition Opening Night

Join us for the opening night of the VEM Network exhibition, and a first look at a student produced ‘zine following our 2-year ESRC funded project on...

Please note: this event has passed.

05Mar

Gender Studies Network Book Launch: Menstrual Myth Busting

Join us to celebrate KCL alumnus, Dr Sally King's first book: 'Menstrual Myth Busting: The Case of the Hormonal Female'.

Please note: this event has passed.

23Oct

Imaging Harassment - Creative workshops addressing campus sexual harassment

Creative workshops addressing campus sexual harassment

Please note: this event has passed.

04Dec

Book Talk on “Born of War in Colombia: Reproductive Violence and Memories of Absence” with Tatiana Sánchez Parra

Discussion with Tatiana Sanchez Parra about conflict-related sexual violence and transitional justice agendas

Please note: this event has passed.

21Nov

Ethics of Representation: Engaging with Testimony of Atrocity (Panel Discussion and Poetry Reading)

Thought-provoking discussion and poetry readings exploring the ethics and complexities taking & engaging with testimony of atrocity

Please note: this event has passed.

23Oct

Film Screening: Briser le silence des amphis + Q&A with producer

A special screening as part of Festival of Social Science, exploring sexist and sexual violence suffered on French university campuses by students, doctoral...

Please note: this event has passed.

16May

Lola's War: Rape Without Punishment

Join us to explore the experience of women who were victims of rape and sexual violence in the context of war.

Please note: this event has passed.

27Mar

Book talk: The Justice of Humans: Subject, Society and Sexual Violence in International Criminal Justice

Prof Kirsten Campbell joins us to discuss her recent book, The Justice of Humans: Subject, Society and Sexual Violence in International Criminal Justice

Please note: this event has passed.

26Mar

Imaging Harassment - Photovoice workshop by VEM Network

Join our Photovoice workshop to understand sexual harassment in student life and beyond, and capture safe and unspace spaces on campus.

Please note: this event has passed.

Features

What does the use of rape in Ukraine tell us about sexual violence in wartime and in peace?

JELKE BOESTEN: Sexual violence is widespread in society and exists in a continuum between war and peace.

sexual violence protest re Ukraine war 1903 558

Rethinking Home

The Pandemic has forced a re-examination of the home as a ‘safe place’.

Rethinking Home - Jelke Boesten - Background

Research

Gender Studies logo
Gender Studies at King's

Bringing together like-minded scholars and students from across King's to examine the influence of gender relations..

urban geography
Creative Contestations and Social Justice research group

This research group is concerned with social justice – spanning questions of equity and fairness, rights, accountabilities, participation, and inclusion. Our group members have a shared orientation towards critical scholarship and activism, and are committed to creative and interdisciplinary approaches. 

NewVEMMain
Visual Embodied Methodologies Network

Creating spaces of knowledge-exchange and research excellence around visual, embodied and art-based methodologies within, across and beyond Social Sciences.

VEMHeroImage
Intersectional Gendered Violence

The project looks at sexual harassment against and among young people, resistance & activism among migrant women and conflict-related gendered trauma and pain.

Project status: Ongoing

241121 4CAT
KingsCAT: Capture and Analysis Tool for Social Media Research at King’s College London

KingsCAT is an instance of the open source 4CAT: Capture and Analysis Toolkit set up to support interdisciplinary and collaborative social media research.

Project status: Ongoing

Arts and conflict hub page
Arts & Conflict Hub

The Arts & Conflicts hub uses artistic mediums to communicate, teach and research the complexities of conflict

masks on stalks 780x440
Performance@King's

Performance@King’s is a cross-college performance and theatre research and teaching grouping.

News

Joint supervisors win Faculty Supervisory Excellence Awards

Dr Emma Towers and Professor Meg Maguire have jointly won the Supervisory Excellence Award 2024 for the Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy.

EmmaMeg2024SSPPSEAward

COMMENT: Peruvian former soldiers convicted for rapes committed four decades ago in rare legal victory

Professor Jelke Boesten reflects on the implications of Peru's historic ruling for justice in conflict-related sexual violence globally.

Silhouette of three soldiers holding rifles

Awards for SSPP research making the world a better place

The Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy (SSPP) held its 2024 Impact Awards to recognise and celebrate impactful research.

SSPP Impact prize 2024 winners

Research on violence in Peruvian military culture receives awards

The British Academy-funded research by Professor Jelke Boesten examined the role of sex and violence in military culture.

Book cover of 'Dogs and Mates' by Professor Jelke Boesten and Dr Lurgio Gavilán

Immersive soundscape and reading of the final report of the Colombian Truth Commission

The Visual Embodied Methodologies (VEM) network with former commissioner Alejandro Castillejo, hosted a ritualized reading of Colombia’s Truth Commission...

1 December 2023, VEM on the verge event, reading by Alejandro Castillejo, former commissioner

ESRC Methods grant for innovative projects analysing the experience of gendered violence

The Visual and Embodied Methodologies (VEM) Network at King’s has secured funding for projects on sexual harassment, conflict-related gendered trauma,...

Image showing the logo for the Visual Embodied Methodologies network

New book throws light on military culture that enabled sexual violence in Peru

The book, co-authored by Professor Jelke Boesten, explores the experiences of army veterans during the internal conflict in Peru.

Book cover of 'Dogs and Mates' by Professor Jelke Boesten and Dr Lurgio Gavilán

New book explores women's inspirational strategies for tackling growing gender-based violence

Cathy McIlwaine, Vice Dean Research, SSPP and Professor of Geography, and Jelke Boesten, Associate Dean (Doctoral Studies) SSPP and Professor in Gender and...

Women Resisting Violence podcast logo

Women Resisting Violence – King's launches new podcast series

King’s academics, in collaboration with the Latin America Bureau, launch a new three-part podcast series which hears the extraordinary experiences of women...

Women Resisting Violence podcast logo

Visualising the margins through visual, embodied and arts-based methodologies

The recent 'Visualising the margins' exhibition saw the launch of the Visual, Embodied, and Arts-based Methodologies (VEM) network.

Visualising the margins: Gendered perspectives' exhibition at King's College London

Events

13Sep

Veminism Symposium

Explore Visual and Embodied Methodologies against Gendered Violence at our one-day symposium featuring art, activism and debate

02Jul

Veminism: Exhibition Opening Night

Join us for the opening night of the VEM Network exhibition, and a first look at a student produced ‘zine following our 2-year ESRC funded project on...

Please note: this event has passed.

05Mar

Gender Studies Network Book Launch: Menstrual Myth Busting

Join us to celebrate KCL alumnus, Dr Sally King's first book: 'Menstrual Myth Busting: The Case of the Hormonal Female'.

Please note: this event has passed.

23Oct

Imaging Harassment - Creative workshops addressing campus sexual harassment

Creative workshops addressing campus sexual harassment

Please note: this event has passed.

04Dec

Book Talk on “Born of War in Colombia: Reproductive Violence and Memories of Absence” with Tatiana Sánchez Parra

Discussion with Tatiana Sanchez Parra about conflict-related sexual violence and transitional justice agendas

Please note: this event has passed.

21Nov

Ethics of Representation: Engaging with Testimony of Atrocity (Panel Discussion and Poetry Reading)

Thought-provoking discussion and poetry readings exploring the ethics and complexities taking & engaging with testimony of atrocity

Please note: this event has passed.

23Oct

Film Screening: Briser le silence des amphis + Q&A with producer

A special screening as part of Festival of Social Science, exploring sexist and sexual violence suffered on French university campuses by students, doctoral...

Please note: this event has passed.

16May

Lola's War: Rape Without Punishment

Join us to explore the experience of women who were victims of rape and sexual violence in the context of war.

Please note: this event has passed.

27Mar

Book talk: The Justice of Humans: Subject, Society and Sexual Violence in International Criminal Justice

Prof Kirsten Campbell joins us to discuss her recent book, The Justice of Humans: Subject, Society and Sexual Violence in International Criminal Justice

Please note: this event has passed.

26Mar

Imaging Harassment - Photovoice workshop by VEM Network

Join our Photovoice workshop to understand sexual harassment in student life and beyond, and capture safe and unspace spaces on campus.

Please note: this event has passed.

Features

What does the use of rape in Ukraine tell us about sexual violence in wartime and in peace?

JELKE BOESTEN: Sexual violence is widespread in society and exists in a continuum between war and peace.

sexual violence protest re Ukraine war 1903 558

Rethinking Home

The Pandemic has forced a re-examination of the home as a ‘safe place’.

Rethinking Home - Jelke Boesten - Background