Paul Collier is Professor of Economics and Director of the Centre for the Study of African Economies at Oxford University. He has previously served as Director of the Development Research Group at the World Bank (1998-2003), Senior Adviser to former Prime Minister Blair’s Commission on Africa, Professor Associate of CERDI and Research Fellow at CEPR. His past and current research has centred on addressing developmental challenges facing low-income countries including research on the economics of conflict, governance and macro-economics with a strong focus on the effects of aid, exchange rate and trade policies. His latest book The Bottom Billion brings together much of his past research and aims at providing concrete solutions to answering the plight of the world’s poorest citizens.