News & Updates
Jan 2026: Joint work presented at ASSA by a superior co-author
Jan 2026: I joined LSE's Department of Geography and Environment full time :-)
Jan 2026: I left the Cities that Work initiaive :-(
December 2025: I created this box
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Hello, I'm Oliver Harman, a spatial economist and economic geographer looking at urbanisation, decentralisation and internationalisation.
I undertake this primarily as a researcher at the LSE's Department of Geography and Environment, with additional research roles at the University of Oxford and teaching roles at the African School of Economics's Africa Urban Lab (lecturer in urban economics), LSE (teacher in economics of cities) and formerly KCL (seminar leader in using economics in government).
The following webpage is a collection of my policy research, academic literature, teaching, commentary and talks. As above, my current focuses are financing sustainable urban development [urbanisation], decentralisation & multi level governance [decentralisation], and global value chains for regional upgrading [internationalisation]—the last a subject of a recent book publication online and in print.
Previously I spent almost a decade engaging with local government Ministries and Mayoral teams across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. This was predominantly as a Senior Policy Economist for the International Growth Centre's (IGC) Cities that Work initiative. I was also Overseas Development Institute (ODI) Fellow in the Ministry of Communities, Guyana. In these roles I attempted to help bridge the gap between research and policy by translating economic/geographical literature (& data) into clear policy guidance for sub-national governments.
My most monitored email address is o.harman@lse.ac.uk, feel free to connect on LinkedIn
If you are ever in London (or Oxford) I am (nearly) always available for a cup of tea!
Work in Progress
Unequal Progress and Barriers to Women in Economics. with Berland, O., and Moreau-Kaslter, N.. (Under Review)
Green Global Value Chains for Sustainable Regional Development with Crescenzi, R.
Green FDI in Africa with Alvarez-Vilanova, J., and Crescenzi, R.
Transforming SME Integration into Global Value Chains with Shukla, R., and Nasir, R.
Degree of Urbanisation in Ethiopia with Franklin, S., Kakoulaki, G., Molla. K. and Read, M.
Selected work
Selected work
Regional Studies Association Policy Impact Book. Routledge. Open access overview here
See the book's homepage with associated materials here
A short overiew in LSE's Research for the World here
Get in touch at o.harman@lse.ac.uk
Get in touch at o.harman@lse.ac.uk
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