We are pleased to announce that Elias Papaioannou, Professor of Economics and Co-Academic Director of the Wheeler Institute for Business and Development, has been appointed the Alexander Knaster Chair in Economics at London Business School.
Elias Papaioannou is a globally recognised economist and one of the most cited economists of his generation. His research spans international finance, political economy, economic history, applied econometrics and development. His appointment as Chair recognises not only his exceptional research and teaching, but also his deep and ongoing contribution to London Business School. He is a Fellow of the British Academy, a Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) Research Fellow, and Managing Co-Editor of the Review of Economic Studies.
Last year, he was elected a Fellow of the British Academy, recognising his significant contributions to the Social Sciences and Humanities. His paper Religion and Educational Mobility in Africa, co-authored with Alberto Alesina, Sebastian Hohmann, and Stelios Michalopoulos, supported by the Wheeler Institute for Business and Development and published in Nature, explores the role of religion in shaping educational outcomes in postcolonial Africa.
Elias Papaioannou also led the ‘African History Through the Lens of Economics’ lecture series, which attracted 27,000 participants from 160+ countries. The course received major accolades, including high commendation in the 2025 Financial Times Responsible Business Education Awards and the 2023 European Economic Association’s Award for Innovation in Teaching.
He is an LBS alumnus (PhD 2000) and after completing his doctorate, worked for two years at the Financial Research Division of the European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt. From 2007 to 2012, he worked as Assistant Professor at Dartmouth College. During 2010-2012, he served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the Economics Department of Harvard University, and in 2019-2020, he was the Hal Varian Visiting Professor at MIT’s Department of Economics. He has published in leading peer-reviewed journals, among others, in Nature, Econometrica, the Review of Economic Studies, the Quarterly Journal of Economics, the Journal of Political Economy, the American Economic Review, and the Journal of Finance.
The Alexander Knaster Chair in Economics was established through the generous support of Mr Alexander Knaster, LBS Executive Fellow, Chairman and CEO of Pamplona Capital Management, and founder of The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research. This endowed Chair reflects Mr Knaster’s commitment to promoting intellectual leadership and global impact in business and economics. Professor Papaioannou will succeed Professor Julian Franks, Professor of Finance and Fellow of the British Academy, who held the Chair and will retire after a notable academic career. Professor Franks distinguished career at LBS spans decades, during which he has made significant contributions as a teacher, researcher, and academic leader.
Sergei Guriev, Dean and Professor of Economics at LBS said: “Professor Papaioannou stands out as a leading figure in the field of economics, renowned for his impactful research on international finance, political economy, and economic development. The School is incredibly grateful to Mr. Knaster for making this position possible. His generosity and support will continue to make the difference for years to come.”
Visit our research portal to find out more about Elias’ work, and the impact that his research is having on development and education across the world.