Dr Eka Ikpe
Director, African Leadership Centre
- Reader in Development Economics in Africa
Research interests
- Conflict
- International development
- International relations
- Security
Biography
Dr Eka Ikpe is Director and Reader (Development Economics in Africa) at the African Leadership Centre at King's. Her research offers a critical understanding of socio-economic transformation processes which advances concept-building that centres spaces in Africa and parts of the Global South across the fields of economic development and peace and security.
Current themes of interest include, developmentalism, industrial development and structural transformation, peacebuilding, post-conflict reconstruction and the economic costs of conflict and creative economies. Her research has been funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council-Global Challenges Research Fund, the Economic and Social Sciences Research Council, Carnegie Corporation of New York and the International Development Research Centre.
Eka is Co-Editor of Peace, Society and the State in Africa and African Perspectives of Leadership and Peacebuilding (Bloomsbury Press) and on the editorial boards of Africa Development, African Security Review and Journal of Leadership and Developing Societies. She is on the Research Advisory Committee of Women for Women International.
Eka's research has supported the work of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the Economic Community of West African States, UK Ministry of Defence, UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Africa, UK Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (formerly DFID). Eka has commented on development, peace and security in Africa for BBC World News, BBC Radio 4, Al Jazeera and Radio France International.
Eka holds a BA in Economics from the University of Leeds, MSc in Economics (with reference to Africa) and a PhD in Economics from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.
Research
- Developmentalism in Africa and Asia
- Industrial development and structural transformation
- International/regional political economy dynamics and development
- Peacebuilding, conflict, security and development
Teaching
Undergraduate
Postgraduate
- Leadership and Development MSc
- Global Leadership and Peacebuilding MSc
- Leadership Studies with reference to Security and Development PhD, or option of joint PhD with University of Pretoria
Further details
News
New podcast on African fashion launches
The 'Africa Fashion Futures' podcast provides an opportunity to hear from academics and industry experts about the fascinating world of African fashion.
King's part of new Africa-Europe Clusters of Research Excellence (CoRE)
Seventeen research Clusters of Research Excellence (CoRE) have been created to bring together researchers from Europe and Africa, to transform collaboration...
Collective climate action needed, King's experts tell London Climate Action Week
As part of London Climate Action Week, King’s experts demonstrated the value of partnership to address policy gaps and improve climate change adaptation plans.
IWD 2022: Women leading the way within SSPP
The Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy has its research endeavour entirely led by women and four women academics from the faculty have just been...
DfID no more – King's global briefing calls into question motives behind the merger
Three prominent voices in international development have raised concerns about the recently announced merger of the UK’s Department for International...
Four New PLUS Alliance Fellows in SSPP
Four colleagues in SSPP have been appointed as Fellows of the PLUS Alliance, a partnership of three universities including King's College London.
Sharing learning and expertise on leadership
Updates from the African Leadership Centre's partnership activities in Somaliland, Ethiopia and Kenya.
Events
Book discussion: Ugandan agency within China-Africa relations
Hybrid seminar presentation on a book titled ‘Uganda Agency within China-Africa Relation: President Museveni and China’s Foreign Policy in East Africa’...
Keynote: Global Public Health and Innovation in Africa
This keynote will examine the significance of African scientists' development of a COVID19 Vaccine in Nigeria in response to the pandemic.
Please note: this event has passed.
Africa's influence on changing peace and security landscapes: reflection for policy, practice and scholarship
Hear from Dr Comfort Ero, President and CEO of International Crisis Group (ICG).
Please note: this event has passed.
The transitional complexities of petroleum governance in Ghana
Clement Sefa-Nyarko will discuss drivers of governance frameworks in Ghana with an emphasis on the petroleum sector.
Please note: this event has passed.
Examining Knowledge production on Peace and Security in Francophone and Lusophone African countries
Dr. David Mwambari discusses knowledge production on Peace and Security in Francophone and Lusophone African countries
Please note: this event has passed.
Youth-led Protest and the Renegotiation of the 'State' in Africa: initial mapping assessment
Dr. Olawale Ismail and Rachel Sittoni discuss youth-led protest and the renegotiation of the 'state' in Africa
Please note: this event has passed.
Shrinking Civic Space and the Role of Civil Society in Resolution of Conflict in Anglophone Cameroon
Prof. James Kiven Kewir and Dr Sonja Theron will discuss the resolution of conflict in Anglophone Cameroon.
Please note: this event has passed.
Africa Week Keynote: Fashion as an interlocuter across disciplines, time and spaces
A conversation with renowned Fashion Designer, Ituen Basi, about how Fashion and the Arts, more widely, serve as connectors across themes including history,...
Please note: this event has passed.
Africa Week Keynote: Global Africa and contemporary literature: A conversation with key literary African voices, Chibundu Onuzo and Nancy Adimora - in Celebration of International Women's Day
This event features a conversation with two brilliant King's alumnae that are defining voices in the African literature landscape.
Please note: this event has passed.
Ethics and Qualitative Research Methods in African Contexts
This event will examine the dynamics and sensitivities of ethics in qualitative research in Africa.
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
Nigeria elections: the surprising influence of Afrobeats music on politics
In the run-up to Nigeria’s February 2023 elections, the country’s younger generation has mobilised to demand change and redefine the political landscape – and...
Could COVID-19 present opportunities for revitalising manufacturing in Africa?
Despite the immense challenges the COVID-19 pandemic brings, it also presents opportunities to strengthen industrial development in the African context.
Black History Month 2020: Resisting oppression, structural barriers and attainment gaps
In conversation with Professor Anne Pollock and Dr Eka Ikpe of the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy for Black History Month 2020
Trading beyond Brexit: is the UK ready?
Experts from King’s College London give their views on the UK’s current position and look at the challenges the UK faces in relation to securing its place...
IWD 2020: Celebrating Eka Ikpe
For International Women's Day this year, we celebrate Dr Eka Ikpe and explore her experiences as an African woman, researcher and Senior Lecturer at King’s.
News
New podcast on African fashion launches
The 'Africa Fashion Futures' podcast provides an opportunity to hear from academics and industry experts about the fascinating world of African fashion.
King's part of new Africa-Europe Clusters of Research Excellence (CoRE)
Seventeen research Clusters of Research Excellence (CoRE) have been created to bring together researchers from Europe and Africa, to transform collaboration...
Collective climate action needed, King's experts tell London Climate Action Week
As part of London Climate Action Week, King’s experts demonstrated the value of partnership to address policy gaps and improve climate change adaptation plans.
IWD 2022: Women leading the way within SSPP
The Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy has its research endeavour entirely led by women and four women academics from the faculty have just been...
DfID no more – King's global briefing calls into question motives behind the merger
Three prominent voices in international development have raised concerns about the recently announced merger of the UK’s Department for International...
Four New PLUS Alliance Fellows in SSPP
Four colleagues in SSPP have been appointed as Fellows of the PLUS Alliance, a partnership of three universities including King's College London.
Sharing learning and expertise on leadership
Updates from the African Leadership Centre's partnership activities in Somaliland, Ethiopia and Kenya.
Events
Book discussion: Ugandan agency within China-Africa relations
Hybrid seminar presentation on a book titled ‘Uganda Agency within China-Africa Relation: President Museveni and China’s Foreign Policy in East Africa’...
Keynote: Global Public Health and Innovation in Africa
This keynote will examine the significance of African scientists' development of a COVID19 Vaccine in Nigeria in response to the pandemic.
Please note: this event has passed.
Africa's influence on changing peace and security landscapes: reflection for policy, practice and scholarship
Hear from Dr Comfort Ero, President and CEO of International Crisis Group (ICG).
Please note: this event has passed.
The transitional complexities of petroleum governance in Ghana
Clement Sefa-Nyarko will discuss drivers of governance frameworks in Ghana with an emphasis on the petroleum sector.
Please note: this event has passed.
Examining Knowledge production on Peace and Security in Francophone and Lusophone African countries
Dr. David Mwambari discusses knowledge production on Peace and Security in Francophone and Lusophone African countries
Please note: this event has passed.
Youth-led Protest and the Renegotiation of the 'State' in Africa: initial mapping assessment
Dr. Olawale Ismail and Rachel Sittoni discuss youth-led protest and the renegotiation of the 'state' in Africa
Please note: this event has passed.
Shrinking Civic Space and the Role of Civil Society in Resolution of Conflict in Anglophone Cameroon
Prof. James Kiven Kewir and Dr Sonja Theron will discuss the resolution of conflict in Anglophone Cameroon.
Please note: this event has passed.
Africa Week Keynote: Fashion as an interlocuter across disciplines, time and spaces
A conversation with renowned Fashion Designer, Ituen Basi, about how Fashion and the Arts, more widely, serve as connectors across themes including history,...
Please note: this event has passed.
Africa Week Keynote: Global Africa and contemporary literature: A conversation with key literary African voices, Chibundu Onuzo and Nancy Adimora - in Celebration of International Women's Day
This event features a conversation with two brilliant King's alumnae that are defining voices in the African literature landscape.
Please note: this event has passed.
Ethics and Qualitative Research Methods in African Contexts
This event will examine the dynamics and sensitivities of ethics in qualitative research in Africa.
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
Nigeria elections: the surprising influence of Afrobeats music on politics
In the run-up to Nigeria’s February 2023 elections, the country’s younger generation has mobilised to demand change and redefine the political landscape – and...
Could COVID-19 present opportunities for revitalising manufacturing in Africa?
Despite the immense challenges the COVID-19 pandemic brings, it also presents opportunities to strengthen industrial development in the African context.
Black History Month 2020: Resisting oppression, structural barriers and attainment gaps
In conversation with Professor Anne Pollock and Dr Eka Ikpe of the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy for Black History Month 2020
Trading beyond Brexit: is the UK ready?
Experts from King’s College London give their views on the UK’s current position and look at the challenges the UK faces in relation to securing its place...
IWD 2020: Celebrating Eka Ikpe
For International Women's Day this year, we celebrate Dr Eka Ikpe and explore her experiences as an African woman, researcher and Senior Lecturer at King’s.