Glen Robbins

Responsibilities:

Glen is the Head of Research at TWIMS. He is responsible for guiding and developing the Institute’s research agenda focused on manufacturing in South Africa and the African continent. In addition to this, he supervises MBA students and lectures on the “African Trade and Industrialisation” GIBS Manufacturing Focus MBA elective and on TWIMS’ executive short courses.

Specialisations:

Glen’s specialisations include urban and regional economic analysis, urban development, informal employment, industrial development, urban governance, public finance, and industrial and trade policy. His most recent research projects have involved a major manufacturing firm survey on medium and large employers in Durban, a multi-city international study of urban mega projects and urban finance dynamics, an analysis of the South African wind energy value chain, policy advice on the grape sector value chain in Tanzania, and an analysis of South Africa’s framework for special economic zones.

Background:

Glen has over twenty-five years of experience having held positions at a senior level in government, as an academic researcher, as a lecturer, and as an independent specialist consultant. In addition to his roles at TWIMS, he is also a Board Member at Asiye eTafuleni, a Research Associate at PRISM, and an Honorary Research Fellow at the Durban University of Technology. Previously, he has served in an advisory capacity for several United Nations institutions, on the KZN Provincial and eThekwini Municipality Planning Commissions, and on the Statistics Council for Statistics South Africa.

Qualifications:

MPhil in Development Studies (University of Sussex)

BSocSci (Honours) in Industrial and Labour Studies (University of Natal)

BSocSci in Economic History and Industrial and Labour Studies (University of Natal)