PhD Student in Economic History.
I use quantitative and historical methods to study long-run inequalities in living standards & health.
My research focuses on death, disease, & doctors in Apartheid South Africa, 19th-century America, and the late British Empire.
About me
I am a PhD candidate in Economic History at the London School of Economics, where my current research explores death, disease, and healthcare during apartheid-era South Africa. My work examines how racial inequalities in mortality, healthcare access, and medical innovation shaped broader societal trends, focusing on the mid-20th century.
Using applied econometrics and historical demography, I aim to uncover the long-term impacts of apartheid health policies on spatial and racial disparities. My broader interests include the intersection of historical and contemporary health inequities, colonial medical histories, and the evolution of public health systems.
Alongside my research, I am passionate about teaching. At LSE, I am a Graduate Teaching Assistant for courses on the Industrial Revolution and the economic history of the Middle East and North Africa, helping students understand the forces that have shaped global economic development. I also serve as a departmental writing advisor, guiding students on crafting analytical essays and historical arguments.
I hold an MSc in Economic History (with Distinction) from the same institution. Before joining LSE, I earned a Master’s degree in Applied Economics (First Class) from the University of Cape Town (UCT), where I focused on econometrics and development economics. My undergraduate studies in Economics at UCT also included specialised coursework in constitutional law and property law.
My work experience spans academia, policy research, and fieldwork. Before my PhD, I worked with organisations like the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (SALDRU), conducting impact evaluations and constructing large-scale datasets. I also worked at What Works for Children’s Social Care in London, where I implemented quasi-experimental designs to evaluate social programmes.
In addition to research, I have taken on leadership and editorial roles. I have overseen the department’s social media presence on X (formerly twitter) and YouTube, and have served as an assistant to the editor for The Economic History Review. I am also on the advisory board of the Historical Economic Demography Group.
Research Projects
Death, Disease, and Healthcare in Apartheid South Africa
PhD Research - Ongoing
This project investigates the racial inequalities in mortality, disease prevalence, and access to healthcare during apartheid-era South Africa. Using historical demographic data and applied econometric techniques, it examines how state policies entrenched disparities in life expectancy and health outcomes. The research highlights the influence of apartheid health systems on racial health gaps that persist today. This work seeks to inform contemporary debates on health equity and the long-term impacts of institutionalised segregation.
British Medical Registers: Healthcare Professions in the British Empire, 1850–1960
Ongoing
This project examines the professionalisation and global reach of the British medical workforce during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Using archival medical registers, it traces the migration of healthcare professionals within the British Empire and their role in shaping colonial health systems. The research provides insight into the intersection of healthcare, imperialism, and labor history. It also highlights the enduring legacies of colonial medical practices on contemporary global health challenges.
Physical stature onboard 19th-century American sail ships: the role of nutrition, urbanisation, race and occupation
Ongoing
This project explores the intersection of nutrition, health, and labor conditions among 19th-century whalers in the North Atlantic. It leverages anthropometric data to analyse how maritime diets and work conditions affected physical stature and health outcomes. By integrating historical records with statistical methods, the research sheds light on the lived experiences of maritime laborers. The findings contribute to broader discussions on labor inequality and the global history of nutrition during the Industrial Revolution.
Gender and Land Reform: Intrahousehold Bargaining in South Africa
This project analyses the gendered dynamics of land reform under South Africa's LRAD program, focusing on intrahousehold resource allocation. By testing economic models of decision-making, it investigates how land ownership by women influences household consumption patterns and bargaining power. The study highlights both the opportunities and limitations of policies aimed at empowering women through land rights. Its findings contribute to understanding the broader socio-economic impacts of land reform and gender equity in rural economies.
Files and links
CV
Departmental profile
Podcast playlists
Curated Spotify playlists I made for undergraduate students while teaching at the LSE. Arranged by week, each playlist contains podcasts on topics complementing the reading list.
EH222: The Economic History of the Middle East and North Africa
Youtube playlists
Curated Youtube playlists I made for undergraduate students while teaching at the LSE. Webinars, recorded lectures and interesting videos to complement the reading list.
EH222: The Economic History of the Middle East and North Africa
