Africa and Africans are usually considered the subjects of global history. They are seen to be on the receiving end of economic forces and political processes, rather than as the innovators and shapers of development solutions. The lecture examines how African development is actively made in places and across spaces, and draws on my work at the interface of political geography and development studies. I focus on political actors in African state institutions as well as those outside of the state who also act politically. My research is strongly transnational and I will draw on cases of African migrants in the UK and Chinese migrants in Africa.
My work sits at the interface of human geography and development studies. I focus on African development and the ways in which Africans themselves craft their own futures. Inevitably questions of power, place and space underpin my work and, while grounded in critical theory, it is led by practical questions. My recent work focuses on the rise of China in Africa which has been supported by a number of ESRC grants. I came to the OU in 2001 after working at Liverpool, Central Lancashire and Portsmouth Universities teaching in geography and development studies departments.
Tea/Coffee served in the Reception Area from 3.30pm
