Research

Spanning every urgent social issue from climate change to political economy and gender discrimination to global conflict, the Wheeler Institute supports research into emerging markets and developing nations.

  • Call for Proposals
    Applications are now closed. We are calling for cutting-edge research proposals from LBS faculty, post-doctoral students, research fellows and PhD students from year 1. This particular Call for Proposals is being supported by the Sui Foundation, and we encourage and support research at the intersection of business and development, with a particular emphasis on technology…
  • Research spotlight: carbon leakage to developing countries
    What is carbon leakage, and why does it matter? Julian Marenz (PhD student in Economics, London Business School) joined us to discuss the complex impact of European carbon taxes on developing countries, and the Wheeler Institute for Business and Development research project that is trying to measure it. Tell us more about the research study,…
  • Anatolia Imprints: Chronicling the Lasting Legacy of Greek Refugees from Asia Minor
    At the crossroads of history, where displacement and the repercussions of refugee flows intersect with economic, political, and social dynamics, the Refugees of the Mediterranean research project, led by Elias Papaioannou, Co-Academic Director of the Wheeler Institute for Business and Development and Professor of Economics at London Business School, and Stelios Michalopoulos, Eastman Professor of Economics at Brown University,…
  • Religion and educational mobility in Africa: A landmark study published in ‘Nature’
    Education has long been recognized as a key driver of development and empowerment in Africa. However, the impact of religion on educational mobility has remained a topic of concern and debate. In a landmark study published in Nature, called Religion and educational mobility in Africa, Elias Papaioannou, Alberto Alesina, Sebastian Hohmann, and Stelios Michalopoulos, supported…
  • Firestone: Colonial Concessions in Liberia
    Firestone is one of the oldest and largest natural rubber plantations in the world. Founded in 1926 in Liberia by Harvey Firestone, the plantations continue to provide employment for thousands of Liberians to date. Till Trojer, a post-doctoral researcher at the Wheeler Institute, anthropologist and filmmaker, travelled to Liberia last year in May to film…
  • Highlighting research for impact
    Wheeler Institute launches new micro website showcasing business research with a focus on development. The Wheeler Institute has launched a micro website under the banner ‘Business research for impact’. Spanning every urgent social issue from climate change to political economy and gender discrimination to global conflict, the new microsite brings together the Institute’s research into…

Applied research

We bridge the gap between theory and practice through collaborative efforts and teaching, translating cutting-edge research into actionable solutions for real-world challenges.

  • Geographic Information System workshop
    Applications are now closed Due to the high volume of registrations, applications for the GIS workshop 2024 have now closed. Date: Tuesday 7 May – Thursday 23 May Time: 15:00 – 18:00 British Standard Time (BST) The Wheeler Institute for Business and Development at London Business School (LBS) is offering a virtual online workshop on…
  • Research spotlight: carbon leakage to developing countries
    What is carbon leakage, and why does it matter? Julian Marenz (PhD student in Economics, London Business School) joined us to discuss the complex impact of European carbon taxes on developing countries, and the Wheeler Institute for Business and Development research project that is trying to measure it. Tell us more about the research study,…
  • Improving the effectiveness of formal housing delivery in Tanzania
    Promoting evidence-based practices to enable solutions scaling by business The operation of urban land markets in developing countries is critical to building sustainable cities. Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing rapid urbanisation, pressuring cities with limited institutional capacity. Challenges include inadequate provision of housing, a proliferation of slums and rising inequality. Many African countries suffer from weak…
  • Understanding how to scale gender impact through fintech
    Scale Series Expert Q&A with Katherine Owens, Head of Labs (R&D) at M-KOPA. Read our previous Q&A with with Ruby Nimkar, Principal at Greenhouse Capital. As part of a series of expert interviews, the Wheeler Institute’s Science of Scale research team interviewed experts including practitioners, policymakers and investors to understand practicalities and perspectives on scaling digital…
  • Scale Series Expert Q&A with Ruby Nimkar
    Read our next Scale Series Expert Q&A with Katherine Owens, Head of Labs (R&D) at M-KOPA. As part of an on-going series, the Wheeler Institute’s DigitalxScale research team interviewed experts including practitioners, policymakers and investors to understand practicalities and perspectives on scaling digital technologies across Africa. In this interview with Ruby Nimkar, Principal at Greenhouse Capital, WIBD…
  • Is there a science to scale? Launch of the DigitalxScale website and report
    Nearly 15 years ago, M-PESA launched as one of the world’s first mobile money payment systems – catalysing business growth and banking those otherwise excluded from formal financial institutions. Today more than 700 fintech companies operate across the African continent. Collectively, these fintech companies have created digital payment infrastructures that help businesses and individuals overcome…