Biographical note
Much of my working life has been spent working in tropical zones. My career has taken me to various settings from long term stable economies to conflict, post conflict and humanitarian crisis primarily in Africa, but also the Gulf and Australasia working with partners in the private sector, public sector, not-for-profit organizations, United Nations and academia. With a background in policy, strategy and programming particularly relating to rural and urban grass roots development, I became increasingly engaged with HIV and AIDS mostly in behaviour change communication amongst most at risk populations. I am married with three children and currently reside in Cairns.
Research topic
Human dignity, vulnerability and resilience to HIV: A study of young people in an urban slum
Research outline
Cities are growing, and in sub-Saharan Africa, exponentially. They are also becoming younger. The HIV epidemic continues apace and increasingly found among young people in urban slums. Contrary to global advances in ending the epidemic, HIV still remains a devastating force and especially in eastern and southern Africa. After thirty years of AIDS work, infection rates continue to rise among youth and especially young women and girls. Despite the overwhelming patriarchal nature of high burden societies, holistic research that combines both young men and young women remains wanting. Life in the slum is harsh and a myriad of ways are deployed to survive and keep establishing status, dignity and resilience. For young slum residents daily choices framed with diverse moral worlds often puts them at heightened risk of HIV infection. Significant reduction in HIV infection among young people is only possible through the generation of a new wave of urban based research that looks at the complexity and often seemingly contradictory nature of young people’s social worlds.
Rooted in interpretative sociology, this study examines the social worlds of migrant and non-migrant youth through word and picture representation currently residing in two urban slums in Nairobi, Kenya. Using a grounded theory methodology through situational analysis the interface of morality, dignity, humiliation and resilience to HIV will be researched through qualitative methodology. Outcomes of this research will contribute to our understanding of the personal, proximal and distal context of HIV among a key population residing in an HIV hot spot. .
Research questions
- What is the nature of vulnerability and risk faced by young people in the urban slum?
- What processes are used by young people to manage the risk of contracting HIV?
Supervisory team
Professor Komla Tsey
Associate Professor Deborah Graham
Dr Johannes John-Langba
Research outputs
- The nexus of vulnerability and risk mapped among a most at risk population to HIV
- Young people’s social worlds of dignity and resilience explained as a component in ending AIDS
Research grants
Australian Postgraduate Award (APA)
Conference papers
Jones, G. (2014). Migration and HIV. Paper presented at the International AIDS Conference, Melbourne.
Jones, G. (2015). HIV and the business sector. Paper presented at the East Africa Humanitarian Summit, Nairobi.
Jones, G. (2016). Public private partnerships and HIV. Paper presented at the East Africa Humanitarian Summit, Nairobi.
Jones, G., Rosenberg, J., Stemple, L., & Knight, K. (2016). Leave no one behind: LGBT people in humanitarian emergencies. Paper presented at the International AIDS Conference, Durban.
Jones, G., Stemple, L., & Knight, K. (2014). LGBTI, HIV and human rights in humanitarian settings. Paper presented at the International AIDS Conference, Melbourne.
Publication
Jones, G. (2016). HIV and young people: Risk and resilience in the urban slum. Cham, Switzerland: Springer.
UNAIDS. (2016). HIV and cities. Geneva: United Nations.
UNICEF. (2006). HIV prevention - Strategies for condom use in Somalia. Nairobi: United Nations.
Teaching experience
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Teacher and tutor, Secondary Schools, English and History (Sudan and Uganda)
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Guest Lecturer, Witts University, HIV, Gender and Emergencies Module for the Diploma in Humanitarian Action
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Guest Lecturer, University of the 3rd Age, HIV, gender and communication, Cairns
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Trainer, United Nations, Peace Keeping Operations, HIV, Gender and Human Rights