Dr Charmaine Brown

A London-based educator from Kingston, Jamaica. 

I am an academic, researcher and consultant with a wealth of experience in further and higher education.  

Since 2002, I have held several posts at the University of Greenwich including: Programme Leader on undergraduate degree programmes, teacher educator on Initial Teacher Education programmes, principal researcher on Equality Diversity Inclusion (EDI) initiatives and supervisor on the post graduate MA and doctoral programmes.

I also sit as a Judicial Office Holder (JOH) for the Ministry of Justice on the First Tier of Social Security and Child Services Tribunals in England and Wales; First-tier Tribunal for Scotland Social Security Chamber Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and Employment Tribunal in England and Wales panels. 

 

Learn More
15
Apr’26
Gentrification of Peckham Walks:
Walk from Time
11am – 1pmCopleston Community Centre, Copleston Road, London, SE15 4AN
24
Apr’26
Gentrification of Peckham Walks:
Thinking Through infrastructure Network (TTiN)
10am – 12pmCity St George’s, University of London, Northampton Square, EC1V 0HB
26
Apr’25
Gentrification of Peckham Walks:
More-than-human mappings – Livingmaps Network Conference 2025
2pm – 4pmSenate House Building, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HU
11
Oct’23
Gentrification of Peckham Walks:
UAL CCW FAD: ‘Portraits of Peckham’  walking tour
1pm – 2.30pmUAL, Camberwell College of arts, 1 Wilson Rd, SE5 8LU
21
Apr
’23
Gentrification of Peckham Walks:
Rights in
Focus
conference
2pm – 4pmSouth London Gallery, 65 Peckham Rd, SE5 8UH
16
Apr
’23
Gentrification of Peckham Walks:
Maroon Heritage Walking Tour
12pm – 2pmNyan-Ko-Pong: Sovereign Maroon Government
6
Mar
’23
Gentrification of Peckham Walks:
National Youth Theatre ‘gone too far’ walking tour
10am – 12pmNational Youth Theatre

Research Themes

Gentrification

Links to my work on Gentrification (podcasts, video and articles).

Diversity Initiatives

Links to my work on equality and diversity.

An interview about me

A link to an interview on my personal journey and life by oral historian Sarah Gudgin for South London Gallery.

Initial Teacher Education

Links to my work on Initial Teacher Education

Genealogy

My current genealogy projects

images and web design: ©Elisia Brown

Anselm Ebulue

Anselm Ebulue

Photographer

It was a pleasure to hear you speak about your research and I was particularly interested in the lost narratives regarding Black history in Peckham where you revealed thriving Black businesses from a rich community who arrived in Peckham in good numbers following the arrival of Windrush and other ships.
 
Best,
Anselm Ebulue
Callum Cuddeford

Callum Cuddeford

News Reporter

Dear Charmaine,

I’m writing a feature on the gentrification of Deptford and I came across your appearance on Radio4.

As an academic who’s focussed on Peckham I think an interview with you would really help ground my story and be a useful comparison point.

I have stories from locals, the view of an ex policy maker, and hope to get the current view of Lewisham Council – but an voice of authority on the subject like yours would be a huge aid.

If you have time this week I would really appreciate a phone call. Please let me know what you can do.

Best wishes,

Callum Cuddeford

Danny Atkinson

Danny Atkinson

Dear Charmaine,

I wanted to say thank you again for such an insightful lecture, it has been invaluable to my research and opened many avenues.

Kind regards,

Danny Atkinson

Emilian Isibo

Emilian Isibo

Freelance Producer

My name is Emilian and I’m a producer for Peckham Platform, a creative and educational charity bringing local communities together in Peckham.

I have come across your fascinating work, particularly your paper ‘Gentrification of Peckham and Black Urban removal worldwide’. Your work really aligns with the some of the themes explored by Peckham Platform, particularly amongst our more recent programmes and I would love to invite you to be a guest speaker at our Place/Changemaking event on Friday 28th October from 6pm, Mountview Academy.This event will be a creative showcase highlighting Peckham Platforms’ past work with the local community with exhibitions, workshops, talks etc.

Your contribution to this event can be discussed, I am happy for it to take the form of a workshop, more interactive talk or as a part of a panel discussion. You will be paid for your participation and I am open to discussing your rates depending on the level of your contribution to the event.

Please let me know if you are interested, happy to arrange a time to talk further!

Best wishes,

Emilian

Jessie Thompson

Jessie Thompson

On Saturday 17th September 2022, it was my honour and pleasure to join the audience at the Copleston Centre as a recipient of this informative and well-structured lecture of Peckham and areas where I was schooled, worshipped, shopped and socialised during the 1960’s through to the 1970’s.

Charmaine’s recollection of 43 Peckham High Street during 1960 – 2000 was spot on with what I had experienced throughout my teens enjoying the live performances of many popular singers. It was a wonder stepping back in time. I also learned how the Walmer Castle used to be a venue for Jazz Lovers.

Charmaine gave a summing up to illustrate how gentrification brings opportunities in a sense of wellbeing, as streets seem safer and public spaces used more. The standard of living has excelled by the rebounding of gentrification. On the not so positive aspects many local people felt that they had been precluded and priced out of the market to purchase properties. For me the talk was very worthwhile and beneficial, honest, concise and informative. 

Jessie Thompson

 

 

Joel Hart

Joel Hart

Good afternoon Charmaine,

I hope you are very well. I am an anthropologist and writer based in London and I am currently trying to come up with a pitch for Eaten Magazine for their latest call.
I recently heard you discussing the gentrification of Peckham on the Thinking Allowed podcast, and how restrictions on street barbecuing have emerged over decades of further gentrification in the area. This got me thinking about an article exploring the relationship between food practices, public space and afro-Caribbean identity in Peckham, as explored through the practice of jerk over decades. If you think there is something of substance there, would be great to have a discussion.
All the best,
Joel Hart
Julia Honess

Julia Honess

Dr Brown’s challenges us to keep the old Peckham alive and think beyond nostalgia for the past. She reminds us of our collective responsibility to remember and honouring the area’s Caribbean heritage as well as embracing the new cultures and communities that regeneration has brought to the area.
Julia Honess
S

S

I’ve been attending Dr Brown’s  ‘gentrification’ lectures with its various accents from 2013/14 to date.

The lecturers have been informative, thought provoking, detailed and enlightening.

I have learnt something new at each occassion and always look forward to participating at the next gentrification lecture.

S

Tony Warner

Tony Warner

Dr Charmaine Brown is a stalwart community activist and historian of Peckham. Dr Brown went from a regular attendee at Black History Walks events for over a decade to being a presenter as part of our Queen Nzingha lectures. Her talk on gentrification and Peckham  were recently delivered to the Cabinet Office and the Wellcome foundation. Dr Brown is also a civil rights activist and ran a successful campaign against racist shopkeepers in Peckham.
Tony Warner