The Intellectual History of Cities
The purpose of this research project is to sketch the broad intellectual history of the role self-governing cities have played in economic and political development, from ancient times to the present.
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Executive Director
Kurtis Lockhart is a PhD candidate in political science at the University of Oxford. His research examines the effect of institutional reforms on public goods provision with a regional focus on sub-Saharan Africa. At Oxford he’s taught both quantitative methods and African politics. In the field, he has previously worked as a Research Manager for the International Growth Centre (IGC), for Warc Africa (both in Sierra Leone), and for the ELIMU Impact Evaluation Center in Kenya where he managed the implementation of several randomized control trials across many different sectors (health insurance, rural electrification, tax administration, and legal aid).
Kurtis has also completed consulting projects with both Oxford Development Consultancy and with Warc Africa. He holds an MSc in Development Management from the London School of Economics where he graduated top of his class, as well as a BA in Economics and Development Studies (First Class Honors) from McGill University. Find him on Twitter @kurtislockhart.
The purpose of this research project is to sketch the broad intellectual history of the role self-governing cities have played in economic and political development, from ancient times to the present.
Kurtis Lockhart speaks with Alexander Betts, a Professor of Forced Migration and International Affairs at the University of Oxford, about refugee economics and the role that the private sector, technology, and innovation have to play in the global refugee crisis.
The Charter Cities Institute (CCI) accepts submissions for research paper ideas related to charter cities and innovative urban governance.
Erin McDonnell, Professor of Sociology at the University of Notre Dame, joins us to discuss her recent book Patchwork Leviathan, which looks at the emergence of bureaucratic pockets of effectiveness within otherwise weak state administrations with a particular focus on Ghana.
China’s rapid rise may seem unprecedented, but its journey is oddly familiar. Joining us today to provide insight is Yuen Yuen Ang.
An optimistic climate conversation with Matthew E. Kahn, an Economics Professor at Johns Hopkins University.
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