Aarti Krishnan

Aarti Krishnan is a Lecturer in Innovation & Sustainability at the University of Manchester, affiliated with the IMP Innovation, Strategy and Sustainability department. She holds the prestigious Hallsworth Fellowship (Ag and foodtech) and previously served as an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow (2018-2021). Her work bridges developmental economics, environmental sustainability, and global value chains, with a focus on Africa and East Asia.

Education: PhD in Development Policy (University of Manchester, 2017), MSc in Environmental Management (University of Manchester), BBA in Finance (Delhi University).

Research Interests: Value chain analysis, green growth, agricultural transformation, digitalisation in value chains, environmental policy in global production networks, and the interplay between technology and sustainable development goals. Her work emphasizes environmental and social upgrading dynamics in sectors like Kenyan horticulture and East African SMEs.

Publications focus on crises resilience in agri-food systems, digital transformation for development (DX4D), environmental upgrading/downgrading frameworks, and gender impacts of global value chains. Notable collaborations include the Global Development Institute and Manchester Institute of Innovation Research.

• Awards:
  • AAAG Best Dissertation Award (2018)
  • ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship (2018)
  • Brooks World Poverty Institute PhD Scholarship (2013)

Advising & Grants: Collaborated on policy reports for Uttar Pradesh's Heat Wave Action Plan (2024) and designed skill development funds for governments in East Africa. Current projects explore digital platforms in agricultural value chains and green finance for SMEs in East Africa.

Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the Global Development Institute, Manchester Institute of Innovation Research, and Sustainable Consumption Institute. Active in interdisciplinary research teams addressing global inequalities and environmental sustainability challenges.