Paul Collier Speaker Biography
Bestselling Author and Leading Expert on
Developing Markets and Economics
Paul Collier is one of the world’s leading experts on emerging markets, development economics and financial opportunities within the world’s poorest countries. He is Professor of Economics and Public Policy at Oxford University and Professeur invité at Sciences Po, and a Director of the International Growth Centre. A respected and influential policy advisor and academic, he is also the author of a number of acclaimed books addressing issues vital to addressing global economic inequality and stability.
Global Economist
Amongst his many appointments Paul has also served as Director of the Research Development Department of the World Bank, Advisor to the Strategy and Policy Department of the International Monetary Fund, and advisor to the Africa Region of the World Bank. He was also an advisor to the British Government on economic development policy and to the Blair Commission for Africa.
Developing Markets
Covering a wide range of crucial issues, Paul has examined how low-income countries have been affected by civil war, aid programmes and urbanisation. He has also analysed problems with democratic structures in those countries rich in natural resources, as well as private investment in African infrastructure projects.
Media
Hailed by the likes of Bill Clinton and George Soros, Paul is a regular contributor to publications including The New York Times, Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post.
Books
His bestselling book, The Bottom Billion has been compared to Jeffrey Sachs’s The End of Poverty in its scope and impact. He is also the author of Wars, Guns and Votes: Democracy in Dangerous Places and The Plundered Planet: Why We Must – and How We Can – Manage Nature for Global Prosperity. His Exodus: How Migration is Changing Our World boldly confronts one of the greatest global challenges of modern times, whilst his The Future of Capitalism: Facing the New Anxieties considers the problems faced by rich and poor nations and sets out a pragmatic vision to improve things. His latest book, co-authored with John Kay, is Greed is Dead: Politics After Individualism.
Knighthood
In 2014, Paul received a knighthood for services to promoting research and policy change in Africa.
Paul Collier Speaking Topics
The Future of Capitalism: Facing the New Anxieties
Beyond the BRICS: Making sense of the risks and opportunities in Frontier Markets
Natural Resource Extraction: How can it be made the impetus for development?
The World Turned Upside-Down: How will the reversal of economic fortunes between the developed and developing worlds play out?
International Migration: Economic and Political Challenges Facing Europe and other regions
Paul Collier Books
Refuge: Rethinking Refugee Policy in a Changing World
Purchase BookThe Future of Capitalism: Facing the New Anxieties
Purchase BookThe Plundered Planet: Why We Must–and How We Can–Manage Nature for Global Prosperity
Purchase BookThe Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries are Failing and What Can Be Done About It
Purchase BookBreaking the Conflict Trap: Civil War and Development Policy
Purchase BookPaul Collier Videos
Paul Collier Speaker Testimonials
"Collier sheds much light on how the world should tackle its biggest moral challenge. [He] shows, too, how far western governments and other external actors are from currently giving the sort of help these countries desperately need."
- Martin Wolf | Financial Times