Biography

JK. Wilson is a dedicated researcher specializing in the study of violence and its diverse manifestations. Although part of her Ph.D. addressed gender-based violence, she intends to shift the narrow interpretation of violence solely as physical, but also as violence disguised within social institutions. Currently, she holds the role of Research Fellow at INTI University College Laureate International Universities, alongside a post-doctoral position at the Center for Social Studies in Coimbra, Portugal. Wilson obtained her Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Rhodes, focusing her dissertation on the violence experienced by Black lesbians in Cape Town townships. Her research delves into how social categories influence violence and its repercussions on individuals and communities, merging a social determinant of health approach with peace and conflict theory. During her academic tenure at Lund University and Bergen University, Wilson explored the social determinants of health, development, and well-being within non-kinship children households in Kampala, Uganda. Her investigations brought to light the prevalent issue of unpaid domestic labor in Africa, particularly in Uganda, shedding light on how neoliberal economic policies perpetuate invisible or direct violence that benefits urban middle-class households. Wilson's current post-doctoral research centers on institutional violence and the impact of social media companies on public opinion. She specifically scrutinizes how exposure to violent language or imagery in political ads, speeches, or social media content influences individuals' attitudes, emotions, and voting choices.