Timothy Besley

Sir Timothy Besley is a Professor of Economics and Political Science at the London School of Economics (LSE), holding the Sir W. Arthur Lewis Chair in Development Economics since 1995. His roles include Director of STICERD (2000–2012, 2020) and leadership positions in global economic associations such as the European Economic Association and Econometric Society. He completed his education at Oxford University, earning a D.Phil. in Economics (1987).

• Key Appointments: Assistant Professor at Princeton University (1988–1995), Fellow of All Souls College Oxford (1984–1991, 1995–2000, 2016–2018)
• Research Focus: Political economy, development economics, public economics, and institutional governance. He explores how institutions affect economic outcomes and state effectiveness.

Recipient of numerous honors including the Yrjö Jahnsson Award (2005), Fellowship from the British Academy (2001), and Knight Bachelor (2018). He has delivered prestigious lectures globally, such as the Lindahl Lectures (2002) and the Amartya Sen Lecture (2019).

• Professional Service: Member of the National Infrastructure Commission (2015–present), External Member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (2006–2009).