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Nick Bernards

Assistant Professor of Global Sustainable Development, University of Warwick
My current research looks at the intersections of global financial markets with changing patterns of work and social protection, primarily in the global south. I have published on the development of new forms of financial products targeting precarious or informal workers, including microinsurance and 'alternative' forms of credit data. I am also beginning research on the ways in which financial markets in the global south have been shaped by longer colonial histories, and how this has impacted on the uneven development of contemporary finance. I am also currently director of the Africa Research Network at Warwick.

Prior to starting at Warwick in 2017, I held a Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Department of Political Studies at Queen's University, Canada, funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada. I completed a PhD in International Relations at McMaster University in 2016.

My recent book, The Global Governance of Precarity (Routledge, 2018), examines the governance of irregular forms of labour in sub-Saharan Africa through a historical study of the activities of the International Labour Organization. I draw together analyses of ILO policy towards forced labour, unemployment, and social protection for irregular workers in sub-Saharan Africa from 1919-present. The project draws on archival research conducted primarily at ILO headquarters in Geneva, extensive documentary research, as well as interviews with key ILO staff across these issue areas in Geneva and at field offices in Pretoria and Dakar.

Climate Change Series

Climate change: why government failure to act isn't the problem

Aug 22, 2021 01:09 am UTC| Nature Politics

The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report underscored the dire state of the climate crisis, concluding that immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are needed to...

Economy

European Stocks Slip as Iran Tensions Offset Strong Eurozone Data

European stocks reversed early gains on Wednesday as renewed tensions involving Iran weighed on investor sentiment, overshadowing stronger-than-expected Eurozone economic data and temporary relief in crude oil prices. The...

Dollar Hits Two-Month High as Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise

The U.S. dollar climbed to a two-month high on Wednesday as traders increased bets that the Federal Reserve will continue raising interest rates to curb persistent inflation. The Dollar Spot Index gained 0.2%, extending...

US Stock Futures Rise as Meta Muse Fuels AI Rally

U.S. stock futures edged higher Wednesday as investors focused on renewed artificial intelligence enthusiasm, upcoming U.S. economic data and a key meeting between U.S. and Chinese leaders. Dow Jones futures rose 41...

Diesel Dilemma: U.S. Considers Export Ban Amidst Record Prices

Rising domestic costs to unprecedented levels, President Trump has said support for a short ban on U.S. diesel exportsa complicated issue for the administration. Driven by the Middle East war, supply interruptions, and...

Asian Stocks Mixed Ahead of Trump-Xi Meeting

Asian stock markets traded mixed on Wednesday as investors remained cautious ahead of a closely watched meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. U.S. stock futures were also largely...

Politics

Trump Board of Peace Unveils $2.45 Billion Gaza Recovery Plan

U.S. President Donald Trumps Board of Peace is set to unveil a six-month, $2.45 billion Gaza recovery plan on Wednesday, outlining dozens of projects aimed at rebuilding critical infrastructure and restoring basic services...

Kremlin Says No Grounds Yet for Ukraine Peace Talks

The Kremlin said Wednesday that conditions are not yet in place to restart Ukraine peace talks, even as Russia remains open to negotiations ahead of a planned meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S....

Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro Tied in Brazil Runoff Poll

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro remain locked in a statistical tie in a potential presidential runoff, according to an AtlasIntel/Bloomberg poll released Wednesday, highlighting...

Iran Vows ‘Crushing’ Response as US Talks Continue

Irans military has warned it is prepared to launch crushing retaliatory attacks if the United States or Israel carries out further strikes, responding to President Donald Trumps threat to annihilate the Islamic Republic....

China Tightens Fentanyl Rules Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit

China has introduced new guidelines for handling criminal cases involving fentanyl-related substances, strengthening its legal framework for combating synthetic opioid crimes ahead of a high-profile meeting between Chinese...

Science

Blue Origin New Glenn Explosion Could Delay Launch Operations Until 2028

Blue Origin is facing a significant setback after a dramatic explosion involving its New Glenn rocket severely damaged a launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida. According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, repairs to the...

Blue Origin New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Launch Pad Test, Delaying Space Ambitions

Blue Origin suffered a major setback after its uncrewed New Glenn rocket exploded during a launch pad test in Florida on Thursday, raising new challenges for Jeff Bezos space company as it competes with Elon Musks SpaceX...

SpaceX Delays Starship V3 Launch Ahead of Potential Record IPO

SpaceX on Thursday postponed the highly anticipated launch of its 12th Starship rocket test from Texas after technical issues interrupted the final countdown. The company now plans to attempt the Starship V3 launch again...

Trump Administration Releases New UFO Files and Apollo Mission Records

The U.S. Defense Department has released dozens of previously classified UFO-related files following an order from President Donald Trump, sparking renewed debate over unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and government...

China vs. NASA: The New Moon Race and What's at Stake by 2030

The space race is back and this time, its a direct competition between the United States and China for dominance on the lunar surface. NASAs Artemis II mission recently made history when four astronauts flew farther into...

Technology

Microsoft Stock Upgraded as Stifel Sees Stronger Azure Growth

Stifel upgraded Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) to Buy from Hold and lifted its price target to $575 from $530, citing stronger confidence in the technology giants ability to maintain mid-to-upper-teens revenue growth. Analysts...

Scott Bessent Eyed as Trump’s New AI Czar

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is under consideration to become President Donald Trumps new artificial intelligence czar as Washington intensifies its focus on AI development, safety and national security. A source...

China Reviews Broadcom Switch Use in State Data Centres

China is reviewing the use of Broadcom switches in state-backed data centres as Beijing intensifies efforts to reduce dependence on foreign technology and promote domestic semiconductor and networking equipment suppliers,...

US Northeast Airports Resume Operations After Telecom Outage Disrupts Thousands of Flights

US airport operations across the Northeast began returning to normal on Monday after crews repaired telecommunications problems that had disrupted air traffic and contributed to thousands of flight delays and cancellations...

Burnham Eyes UK Leadership Role in AI Ahead of Trump Meeting

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will push for the UK to take a global leadership role in artificial intelligence on Tuesday as he makes his first major appearance on the international diplomatic stage at the United...