Ali’s research focuses on growth, decline, and change across the American urban system of cities. There is significant literature that investigates Superstar Cities, exploring the high-income levels, high-skill labour, and large population associated with such places, as well as, on the opposite end of the spectrum, those which experienced rapid deindustrialisation to the extent that these once high economic performers but have suffered a combination of slow population growth or population decline, and relative income decline. Between these two categories, there might be other pathways of urban development. Her research is centrally concerned with these places: identifying them and studying how they change relative to the more polarised parts of the American urban system. 

Having previously worked in political, local government, and real estate development sectors across the United States, Ali has nearly 15 years of experience counselling C-suite executives, elected officials, and civil servants operating in demanding media, political, and regulatory environments. 

Ali holds an MSc in Local Economic Development and Executive MSc Cities from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She also has a BA in International Affairs from The George Washington University in Washington DC. 

Research interests

• Economic growth and change 
• Relationship between discourse and economic growth

Provisional thesis title
Growth and decline in the middle of the urban system: the American case since 1940

Supervisors
Prof Michael Storper

Prof Andrés Rodríguez-Pose