Launch of the LSE Economic Diplomacy Commission
Speakers
LSE IDEAS is delighted to launch the Economic Diplomacy Commission, a platform for applied, cross-disciplinary work on economic diplomacy. As trade, finance, technology, and supply chains become ever more entangled with national security and geopolitics, the Commission asks what role diplomacy now plays in the pursuit of economic ends, and what role economic tools play in the pursuit of diplomatic ones. Approaching these questions from a practitioner’s vantage point and drawing in perspectives too often left out of global debates—including those of the Global South, middle powers and smaller states—the Commission will produce case studies, convene candid exchange between scholars and practitioners, and translate research into practical insight for those who engage in economic diplomacy. This launch event introduces the Commission’s purpose and programme of work and brings together leading voices to discuss economic diplomacy in a fragmented global order.
Meet the Speakers and Chair
Professor Chris Alden teaches International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). He is also Director of LSE IDEAS. He is a Research Associate with South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).
He is author/co-author of numerous books, including Apartheid’s Last Stand – the Rise and Fall of the South African Security State (Palgrave 1996), Mozambique and the Construction of the New African State (Palgrave 2003), South Africa’s Post-Apartheid Foreign Policy (Adelphi Paper IISS 2003), China in Africa (Zed 2007), Land, Liberation and Compromise in Southern Africa (Palgrave/Macmillan 2009) The South and World Politics (Palgrave 2010), Foreign Policy Analysis – New Approaches 2nd edition (Routledge 2017), China and Latin America - Development, Agency and Geopolitics (Bloomsbury 2023) and co-editor of China and Mozambique: from Comrades to Capitalist (Johannesburg: Jacana 2014), China Returns to Africa (Hurst 2008), China and Africa – Building Peace and Security Cooperation on the Continent (Palgrave 2017), New Directions in Africa-China Studies (Routledge 2019) as well as having written numerous articles in internationally recognised journals.
Professor Alden has held fellowships at Cambridge University, Institute of Social Science, University of Tokyo; Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto; Ecole Normale Superieure (Cachan), Paris; CERI, Paris; and University of Pretoria.
Professor Larry Kramer is President and Vice Chancellor of the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). He took office on 1 April 2024.
Professor Kramer served as President of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation from 2012 to 2024. Under his leadership, the foundation significantly adapted its strategies to meet changing circumstances and seize new opportunities, including new efforts to respond to pressing and timely challenges related to democracy, economics, climate change, and racial justice.
Larry spent most of his career in the academy, most recently as the 15th Dean of Stanford Law School, a position he assumed in 2004. During his tenure, he spearheaded significant educational reforms. He pioneered a new model of multidisciplinary legal studies, while growing the clinical education program, incorporating a public service ethos, and enlarging the physical campus.
Previously, Larry researched and taught at the University of Chicago, the University of Michigan, and New York University, where he served as Associate Dean for Research and Academics and Russell D. Niles Professor of Law. He clerked for US Court of Appeals Judge Henry J Friendly of the Second Circuit and US Supreme Court Justice William J Brennan Jr, following his education. Larry holds an AB in Psychology and Religious Studies from Brown University and a JD from the University of Chicago Law School.
Lutfey Siddiqi is a Visiting Professor-in-Practice at the London School of Economics (LSE IDEAS) and Adjunct Professor at the National University of Singapore (Risk Management Institute & NUS Business School).
From September 2024 to February 2026, he served as Special Envoy of Bangladesh’s interim government (at Minister-equivalent rank), leading initiatives in economic diplomacy, trade & investment, labour reforms, and inter-ministerial coordination.
Lutfey is a member of the advisory boards of LSE Systemic Risk Centre, LSE Inclusion Initiative, NUS Centre for Governance and Sustainability, and Women Political Leaders (WPL) .
A former member of the LSE Court of Governors, investment committee and health & safety assurance committee, he is now an Emeritus Governor of LSE. Previously, he served on the boards of ShareAction, UWC Atlantic College, New City College London, and CFA Singapore.
A former Managing Director at UBS Investment Bank and member of its executive committee for Foreign Exchange, Rates and Credit, he led emerging markets globally, founded the UBS Knowledge Network, and served on the UBS Group Sustainability Council.
He earlier ran businesses across Asia-Pacific for UBS and Barclays from Singapore.
Recognised as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader (2012), he has served on WEF global future councils since 2014 - including as co-chair of the council on Investing in Gender Parity and as co-curator of the Transformation Map for Banking and Capital markets.
Lutfey designs and delivers cross-disciplinary courses in economics, finance, emerging markets, risk management, ESG investing, geo-politics and economic diplomacy - connecting macro themes with practitioner challenges in leadership and governance.
He has an extensive presence in global media.
From time to time there are changes to event details so we strongly recommend that if you plan to attend this event you check back on this listing on the day of the event.
Whilst we are hosting this listing, LSE Events does not take responsibility for the running and administration of this event. While we take responsible measures to ensure that accurate information is given here this event is ultimately the responsibility of the organisation presenting the event.
LSE holds a wide range of events, covering many of the most controversial issues of the day, and speakers at our events may express views that cause offence. The views expressed by speakers at LSE events do not reflect the position or views of the London School of Economics and Political Science.