About
Oliver fully joined the Department of Geography and Environment at the London School of Economics as a Research Officer in 2026 after part time association since 2019. His research explores urbanisation, decentralisation and internationalisation, with a focus on developing countries and using a quantitively led mixed methods approach.
His most recent book "Harnessing Global Value Chains for Regional Development" (2023, Routledge) explores how regions, cities and clusters can build, embed and reshape global value chains for local enhancement and forthcoming book “Green Global Value Chains for Sustainable Development” (2026, Cambridge University Press) explores how GVCs are central to environmental transformation and can support development outcomes across a fragmented spatial economy.
Prior to joining the department, he held research and teaching positions at Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford (through the International Growth Centre); Department of Politics Economy, Kings College London; Department of Economics, London School of Economics and Political Science (through the International Growth Centre), Oxford Lifelong Learning, University of Oxford; and Africa Urban Lab, African School of Economics where he remains as a Lecturer.
Research interests
- Economic geography
- Spatial economics
- Urban Policy
- Local economic development