Giovanni Pasquali

Giovanni Pasquali serves as an Honorary Research Associate at the University of Manchester's Global Development Institute, focusing on public and private governance of Global Value Chains with emphasis on innovation and upgrading in Eastern and Southern African SMEs. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty reduction and economic growth.

His academic background includes a DPhil in International Development from Oxford University (2018), an MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy (Oxford, 2012), an MA in International Relations (University of Bremen, 2011), and a BA in International and Diplomatic Sciences (University of Trieste, 2009).

Research centers on Global Value Chains in developing economies, particularly examining governance structures, value creation mechanisms, and upgrading pathways for SMEs in Kenya, Eswatini, and broader Global South contexts. His fingerprint analysis reveals dominant expertise in Value Chain dynamics (100%), Value Creation (97%), and Global Value Chains (77%), with significant contributions to understanding Global South trade patterns (20%), Developing Countries frameworks (19%), and Kenyan industry contexts (14%).

Recent publications demonstrate strong policy impact, with 3 policy citations for his Eswatini apparel study and 10 policy citations for the Shifting South project. His work has been covered by 3 news outlets and cited in 3 policy sources, reflecting real-world relevance in development economics.

He currently contributes to the ESRC-GCRF funded 'Shifting South: Decent Work in Regional Value Chains and South-South Trade' project, investigating labor conditions in African horticulture and apparel value chains. His research integrates fieldwork in Kenya, Eswatini, and broader Eastern/Southern Africa with theoretical frameworks from economic geography and development studies.