Robtel Neajai Pailey

Robtel Neajai Pailey is an Assistant Professor in International Social and Public Policy at the London School of Economics (LSE), Department of Social Policy since 2020. A Liberian scholar-activist, her research focuses on structural transformation in Global South contexts, particularly examining citizenship exclusion in Liberia and Sierra Leone through her book Africa’s ‘Negro’ Republics. She holds a PhD in Development Studies from SOAS (2014) and has held fellowships at the University of Oxford and African Development Bank Group.

Her expertise spans Development Studies, Conflict Recovery, Governance, and Critical Race Theory. Awards include Liberia’s highest civilian honor (2024) and major academic accolades for her 2021 monograph, which influenced Liberia’s dual citizenship policy. She actively engages in public discourse through media appearances and policy advocacy, including serving as 2024 National Orator for Liberia.