Matthew Sterling Benson

Dr Matthew Sterling Benson serves as a Research Fellow and Sudans Research Director within the Conflict & Civicness Research Group (CCRG) at the London School of Economics and Political Science, while maintaining affiliate status in the Department of Economic History. His work bridges academic research with operational policy engagement across Sudan, South Sudan, and other conflict-affected regions including Ukraine, Syria, and Afghanistan.

Education:

• PhD in History (ESRC-funded), Durham University
• MA in Economic and Social History, Durham University
• MA in Governance and Development, Institute of Development Studies (University of Sussex)
• BA in International Relations, Tufts University

Benson's research centers on predatory state formation through revenue extraction systems in Africa, particularly examining how colonial-era taxation practices in Sudan and South Sudan evolved into contemporary patterns of exclusionary governance. His work integrates historical analysis with fieldwork across 700+ interviews, exploring intersections of war-making, peacemaking, and civic resistance narratives like Sudan's 'medania' movement. Current projects analyze ethical methodologies for in-country research networks in active conflict zones and global fragmentation trends.

His publication trajectory reveals consistent focus on taxation-state relationships in the Sudans, evolving from colonial revenue systems (2019) to contemporary civic resistance (2022-2024). The 15 most recent works demonstrate methodological range across historical analysis, field interviews, and policy submissions, with increasing emphasis on democratic transitions and revenue reform since 2020.

Professional Engagement:

• Teaches MSc 'African Economic Development in Historical Perspective' (LSE, Autumn 2024)
• Co-editing Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding special issue on global fragmentation
• Operational roles with MSF (Sudan), Crown Agents (South Sudan), World Bank, UNHCR, and ODI
• Media contributor for BBC and Al Jazeera on Sudan/South Sudan conflicts
• Editorial Director of 'Boy Brother Friend' art/social theory platform

Benson leads the CCRG's in-country research networks across 6 conflict-affected nations, developing protocols for ethical fieldwork under active warfare conditions. His current book manuscript 'Of Rule Not Revenue: On the Nature of Predatory Rule in Sudan and South Sudan' (Cambridge University Press, under review) synthesizes 10 years of archival and field research.