Professor Dirk Willem te Velde
The Centre for Global Finance (CGF), in the School of Finance and Management, at SOAS University of London is delighted to welcome and host Professor Dirk Willem te Velde, Professor of Practice at SOAS, with effect from 20 July 2021.
Professor te Velde is a Principal Research Fellow and Director for International Economic Development at ODI. He directs the Supporting Investment and Trade in Africa (SITA) and Supporting Economic Transformation (SET) Programmes and is Research Leader in the FCDO – ESRC Growth Research Programme. He has written and edited 20 books/monographs, 30 peer reviewed articles and 40 book chapters, related mainly to investment, trade and economic transformation. His research has featured in the BBC, China Daily, The Economist, the Financial Times, the Guardian, Asian and African newspapers and TV, with hundreds of media hits. In terms of pathways to research impact, he has advised donor agencies (incl. FCDO, SIDA, and Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs), both houses of UK parliament (including as a specialist advisor to development finance inquiries) and government ministers ranging from Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia to Bangladesh and Nepal, and multilateral bodies (incl. IFIs and UN agencies). He is a member of the UK Government Strategic Trade Advisory Group (advising the Secretary of State and Trade minister) and leads a Bangladesh trade capacity building project. He holds a degree from the University of Groningen and a PhD in economics from Birkbeck, University of London.
Excited by the news, Professor te Velde said, “I am honoured to have been appointed Professor of Practice at the Centre of Global Finance at SOAS University of London.” He added, “I am especially looking forward to sharing the practical insights I have acquired over the past two and half decades by working with governments, business and other stakeholders on the role of FDI, financial markets, development finance institutions, and aid in the economic transformation of African and South Asian countries.”
Professor Victor Murinde, the Director of the Centre for Global Finance, remarked “CGF is fortunate to serve as the academic host for Dirk Willem, given his strong network and high profile among researchers and policy makers”.
Dr Ben Hardy, the Head of the School of Finance and Management, added “The Centre for Global Finance looks to explore key developments in global finance and their impact on financial systems and the world economy. A critical part of this mission is connecting scholars, practitioners and policy makers. Professor te Velde connects these three groups in one person, bringing rich experience to the Centre which will inform both the research and its impact. We are delighted to welcome Professor te Velde and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”