King's College London

Tell us a little bit about your PhD research topic. Who is/was your supervisory team?

My PhD examines the transmission of shocks and spillovers through production networks. I am currently studying how tax policy affects firm networks and production dynamics, using administrative microdata from Uganda and Turkey that allow me to track firm-to-firm transactions and link them with firm-level characteristics. My supervisory team includes Dr Seyhun Sakallı (King’s Business School), Dr Pierre-Louis Vézina (Department of Political Economy), and Dr John Morrow (Queen Mary University of London).

What are your research interests and how did/have they evolve?

My research explores the intricate architecture of production networks that link firms across sectors and borders. Over time, I’ve become particularly interested in how these networks shape the transmission of policy shocks, and in how detailed administrative data can reveal the linkages that drive these dynamics.

What motivated you to do a PhD and what were you doing before?

Before starting my PhD, I gained research experience in both academia and policymaking, first as a pre-doctoral researcher in the Economics and Political Science Department at INSEAD, and later as a policy analyst at the OECD in Paris, where I worked on economic modelling for projects on sustainable finance. These experiences inspired me to pursue a research career, beginning with a PhD to further develop the skills needed to produce original work that supports evidence-based policymaking.

What have you most enjoyed about your PhD?

What I’ve most enjoyed about my PhD is the intellectual freedom it provides; the ability to define my own questions, follow the data wherever it leads, and build something from the ground up. At the same time, the process has been deeply collaborative. Working closely with my supervisors and co-authors has been invaluable, both in refining ideas and in transforming them into concrete research outputs. It is a journey that constantly pushes one to think not only more rigorously, but also more creatively.

What were some of the challenges of PhD research and how did you overcome them?

Although the PhD is often seen as a solitary process, it involves constant interaction with many stakeholders. In my case, this included data providers who grant access under strict confidentiality rules and through complex procedures. Navigating these relationships required patience, professionalism, and strong project management. Another challenge was maintaining focus over a long, open-ended process. It’s easy to get lost in details, which is why doctoral researchers rely on the guidance of their supervisors to stay on course and see the bigger picture.

Why did you choose King’s Business School?

I chose King’s because my prospective supervisors’ research interests resonated strongly with my own, and because they showed genuine enthusiasm for my ideas from the very first conversation. Beyond that personal fit, King’s Business School offers a collaborative environment that bridges economics, business, and management, which makes it an ideal setting to explore how economic ideas interact with the broader dynamics of markets, institutions, and policy.

What do you like most about studying London? Has it provided you with more opportunities?

London’s academic ecosystem is unparalleled. Being surrounded by leading researchers, seminars, and conferences creates constant opportunities for learning and collaboration. It’s also an incredibly international and dynamic city, which makes it easy to stay intellectually curious and connected to both academic and policy circles.

What are your career aspirations? How has your time at King’s Business School influenced your thinking?

I aim to pursue cutting-edge research that advances our understanding of economic systems while offering practical insights for evidence-based policymaking. My time at King’s has strengthened my commitment to bridging rigorous empirical analysis with real-world relevance and to producing research that can inform and improve policy design and implementation.

How do you think your experience at King’s Business School will shape your career?

My experience at King’s Business School has shaped how I think about research and collaboration. Working in an interdisciplinary environment has encouraged me to look beyond the boundaries of economics and to draw on perspectives from finance, management, and organizational studies. This has broadened my perspective and strengthened my ability to think about economic questions from different angles, a perspective that will continue to shape the way I approach economic research.

What advice would you give to those looking to study for a PhD in your subject area?

Be prepared to learn continuously and to embrace uncertainty. Remember that research rarely follows a straight line. Choose a topic that genuinely fascinates you. Cultivate good relationships with your supervisors and peers, and stay open to interdisciplinary perspectives. Above all, remember that persistence, adaptability, and curiosity matter far more than knowing all the answers from the start.