Serin D. Houston

 I am a big picture thinker – someone who examines connections between people, places, and practices. I am deeply committed to the possibility of social transformation and find our present challenges both terrifying and motivating. I am drawn to reciprocal solidarity work focused on creating a more equitable, just, and regenerative world from the interpersonal to the global scales. Let’s collaborate!

“This important and impeccably researched book lays bare the challenges that confront cities like Seattle that aspire to be genuinely progressive places.”

- Steve Herbert, Mark Torrance Professor of law, societies, and justice and professor of geography at the University of Washington, Seattle

Imagining Seattle: Social Values in Urban Governance by Serin D. Houston

Imagining Seattle

Social Values in Urban Governance

Imagining Seattle dives into some of the most pressing and compelling aspects of contemporary urban governance in the United States. Using Seattle as a case study, Serin D. Houston looks at not just what policies say but at how they work in practice. She finds that opportunities for social justice, sustainability, and creativity are constrained by the prevalence of market-oriented thinking and the classism and racism that seep into the architecture of many programs and policies.

Praise for Imagining Seattle

What I Do

Serin D. Houston teaching a class at Mount Holyoke College
Photo by Leah Fasten
A large ball sculpture made of branches and twigs on a beach at sunset
A notebook and pencil on a blue desk
01

I Teach

courses about topics such as cities, migration, borders, climate change, economic systems, and identity through a geographic perspective. I believe in the power of education to transform individuals and communities by nurturing critical thinking and curiosity. I employ inclusive pedagogical strategies to produce high impact learning.

02

I Think

about issues that probably matter to you too: migration, climate change, urbanization, governance, deepening disparities, extensive inequities, social change. As a Human Geographer and qualitative researcher with experience collecting data in seven countries, I emphasize the significance of storytelling and take seriously narratives since they poignantly convey how we understand and relate to ourselves, our home places, and each other.

03

I Write

nearly every day. I author academic articles and books, prepare guest lectures and conference presentations, and create content about my various research areas. My daily writing practice enables me to set and accomplish goals, effectively manage multiple projects, and put a lot of words on the page.

Serin D. Houston teaching a class at Mount Holyoke College
Photo by Leah Fasten
01

I Teach

courses about topics such as cities, migration, borders, climate change, economic systems, and identity through a geographic perspective. I believe in the power of education to transform individuals and communities by nurturing critical thinking and curiosity. I employ inclusive pedagogical strategies to produce high impact learning.

A large ball sculpture made of branches and twigs on a beach at sunset

02

I Think

about issues that probably matter to you too: migration, climate change, urbanization, governance, deepening disparities, extensive inequities, social change. As a Human Geographer and qualitative researcher with experience collecting data in seven countries, I emphasize the significance of storytelling and take seriously narratives since they poignantly convey how we understand and relate to ourselves, our home places, and each other.

A notebook and pencil on a blue desk

03

I Write

nearly every day. I author academic articles and books, prepare guest lectures and conference presentations, and create content about my various research areas. My daily writing practice enables me to set and accomplish goals, effectively manage multiple projects, and put a lot of words on the page.

A group of people marching for community ID policies in their community
Photo by David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

U.S. Sanctuary Policies

In the conversation around immigration in the United States, the term “sanctuary” brings up a wide range of feelings and opinions. Depending on your political views, “sanctuary” can mean anything from the best hope for human liberation to the end of the rule of law. Regardless of your perspective, this much is certain:

  • Debates about sanctuary have a direct impact on local and national policymaking.
  • Sanctuary is complex – and confusing. It doesn’t have just one definition.

That’s why it’s valuable to collaborate with an expert if you are crafting a sanctuary policy; trying to understand the implications and potential outcomes of a policy; engaging with local stakeholders about law enforcement and immigration; or looking for guidance for your sanctuary advocacy.

A group of people holding a banner that reads "Climate Justice Now"
Photo by Humans of Kiribati Collective

Climate Change and Human Migration

The effects of climate change have a powerful impact on current human migration. To better understand the ways climate change and human migration affect each other, I conduct research about:

  • Governance of “managed retreat” at local, state, and regional scales
  • Implications of resettlement for different stakeholders
  • Contested claims to territory and place 
  • How and where people regrow roots 
  • Ethical considerations for research on human migration and climate change

This research and the contacts I have in this field allow me to offer advice and feedback to governments and organizations as they prepare for climate change and the anticipated increase of migrants that will accompany it.

Interested in working with me?

Get in touch with me for speaking engagements, guest teaching, research and writing needs, or policy and project development and evaluation.

News & Events

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Houston Joins Soli*City Network

I am thrilled to share that I have joined the Soli*City Network as a collaborator! The sanctuary story map and archive that Anastasia and I ...
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Media Coverage of Sanctuary Story Map and Archive

I am so grateful to Emilee Klein from the Daily Hampshire Gazette who wrote an excellent article about our sanctuary story map and archive. You ...
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Announcing the “Mapping U.S. Sanctuary Policies” Story Map and Policy Archive

Drum roll please!! After many years of dreaming about this project and months of collaboration, I am thrilled to announce that Anastasia Tucker and I ...
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CONTACT ME

Get in touch

I’m available for speaking engagements, guest teaching, research and writing needs, or policy and project development and evaluation. I welcome the opportunity to collaborate with you!