Christine Oughton is Professor of Management Economics and Head of the Department of Financial and Management Studies at SOAS, University of London. She received her PhD in Economics from the University of Cambridge. Before joining SOAS she was Professor of Economics and Management, University of Bolzano, Italy (where she is now Visiting Professor) and Professor of Management at Birkbeck, University of London. In 2006 she was made an Academician of the Academy of Social Sciences. Her research focuses on industrial organisation, innovation, regional economic performance and corporate governance. She is currently researching the measurement and effects of corporate diversity in financial services. She currently serves on Academic Board, SOAS Governing Body and the Resources and Planning Committee.