Rich is an ESRC-funded PhD student with an interest in cities, decent work, and the political economy of livelihoods. His doctoral research looks at how – and to what extent – contemporary changes in the nature of work are reconfiguring the everyday lives of informal workers, the livelihood systems they are embedded within, and the wider politics that surrounds their labour. Using mixed-methods research, he is exploring these issues through an in-depth case study of economic and political life within Kampala’s boda boda (motorcycle taxi) sector – a huge site of popular economic activity currently undergoing transformation on multiple fronts. 

Prior to joining the LSE, Rich was a Research Fellow at the Overseas Development Institute where he worked on state-building, post-conflict livelihood recovery, and displacement / migration. He still remains affiliated as a Research Associate.

Rich holds a BA in Geography from University College London, and an MSc in Violence, Conflict and Development from the School of Oriental and African Studies.