Seth Schindler

Professor Seth Schindler holds the Chair in Urban Politics & Development at the Global Development Institute, University of Manchester. His research focuses on geopolitical rivalry's impact on urbanization, transnational development strategies, and infrastructure-led transformation. He co-founded the Second Cold War Observatory and co-directed the African Cities Research Consortium.

Education includes a PhD in Geography from Clark University (focused on Delhi street politics) and MA studies at Freiburg, Kwa-Zulu Natal, and Jawaharlal Nehru University. Pre-academic career involved teaching English in Tokyo, Managua, Dubai, and Muscat.

Research interests span US-China competition over global infrastructure networks, deindustrialization in Global South cities, and the resurgence of state-driven spatial planning. His work appears in International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Urban Studies, and Geopolitics, with awards from leading journals.

Key projects include studies on Turkey's urbanization strategy, Tanzania's territorial transformation, and water security solutions in post-disaster scenarios. He advises PhD students researching infrastructure projects, micro-geopolitics, and urban development policies.

Recipient of grants from the British Academy, Newton Fund, and ESRC. His work contributes to UN SDGs addressing urban inequality and sustainable development. Active in policy dialogue through media engagements and international conferences.