Dr Aparna Ravi

Aparna smiles into the camera. There is green foliage behind her.

Lecturer (Teaching) in International Political Economy
Room: 2.07, 36-38 Gordon Square
Email: a.ravi@ucl.ac.uk
Website

Biography

I am a Lecturer (Teaching) at UCL. Prior to joining, I earned my PhD from the George Washington University in 2021. My dissertation, entitled ‘Rising Multinationals: The Political Economy of Outward Investment from the Global South’, investigates the impact of emerging-market multinationals on national economic development trajectories. Prior to my doctoral studies, I received a BA in International Studies from Emory University and an MA in International Relations from the University of Chicago.

Research

My research interests are at the intersection of international and comparative political economy, with a focus on foreign direct investment, globalization and business-state relations, development finance, and labour politics.

I am currently working on a book project which draws from my dissertation research on emerging market multinationals. The book project investigates the rise of outward investment from the Global South, its impact on national economic policies in emerging markets, and the role of development banks in facilitating these outward flows. I am also involved in a research stream relating to transnational corporations and labour standards in developing countries.

I have conducted field research in several cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasília, and Colombo. This fieldwork has been generously supported by the GWU Center for International Business Education (CIBER), the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, and the Department Research Fund at UCL.

Teaching

I currently teach ‘International Political Economy’ (PUBL0004) and ‘Governing Global Business’ (PUBL0056).