This Regional Studies Association Research Network launched in 2025 addresses this gap by advancing an interdisciplinary research agenda on GGVC and sustainable regional development from multiple, critical angles. Through workshops, RSA special sessions, and digital events, the network will create a platform for sharing cutting-edge research from established scholars while fostering new voices, especially from early career researchers and Global South scholars to push an emerging agenda of highest societal importance. A digital workshop and a webinar will promote and disseminate the network’s work. 

RSA Website

The India Sustainable Growth Hub (ISGH) is a joint research initiative by the International Growth Centre (IGC) at LSE and the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Delhi, launched in 2024/2025 to research and influence policy for India's low-carbon, sustainable economic growth, focusing on green models, decarbonization, and climate finance, aiming to balance development with environmental goals by connecting rigorous research with policymakers.

IGC Website: IGC India Evidence Paper on Urbanisation

2024 - 2025: Partnership with World Bank, George Washington University and City of Cape Town to co-host the international conference and policy workshop. 

Theme: Urban economics in action: Addressing African cities' challenges 

IGC Website : World Bank Website : Video Content

2023 - 2024: Partnership with World Bank, George Washington University and Millenium Challenge Corporation to co-host the international conference and policy workshop. 

Theme: Urban expansion and the future spatial organisation of cities.  

IGC Website : World Bank Website : Video Content

2022 - 2023: Partnership with World Bank and George Washington University to co-host the international conference and policy workshop. 

Theme: Climate Change and Sustainable Cities

IGC Website : World Bank Website : Video Content

2020 - 2021: Detailing research strategy for sustainable urbanisation in Bangladesh. 

IGC Website

2019 - 2021: Funded by European Commission and in cooperation with UNHabitat Oliver was focal point for the academic partnership co-creating and co-delivering the programme.

As part of this collaboration, Cities that Work acted as academic partner in an Agreement of Cooperation. Specifically co-convening high level policy engagement with UNHabitat at in Brussels European Parliament, a cities and expert workshop with UNHabitat in Dakar following European Investment Bank's Africa Day and multiple written outputs.

2018 - 2019: Funded by Foreign Commonwealth Office (now FCDO) and in cooperation with UNHabitat Oliver was focal point for the academic partnership co-delivering the programme.

 As part of this collaboration, Cities that Work acted as Academic Partner for the Strategic Development Phase. Specifically providing financial and legal analysis of interventions, evidence on thematic areas and presentations to city stakeholders during charettes.

Outputs from the programme are found in the Global Future Cities Programme website here and the launch of the programme here

2019: Partnership with World Bank, George Washington University and Inter-American Devevelopment Bank to co-host the international conference. Oliver co-organised the first day focusing on research, second day focusing on policy and third day focusing on city application. Watch the opening session here.

IGC Website: World Bank Website