Joe Studwell Keynote Speaker

Bestselling author of How Asia Works and leading authority on Asian economic development
Journalist and commentator specialising in Asia, geopolitics and global markets
Former founder and editor-in-chief of China Economic Quarterly and Asianomics

Joe Studwell's Biography

Joe Studwell is one of the world’s leading experts on Asian economics, development and geopolitics. A journalist, author and researcher, he is best known for his bestselling book How Asia Works: Success and Failure in the World’s Most Dynamic Region, widely regarded as one of the most influential books on economic development and industrial policy in Asia.

For more than three decades, Joe has analysed the economic rise of Asia, examining why some countries have achieved extraordinary growth while others have struggled. His work focuses on industrial policy, agriculture, finance, trade and the political economy of development, with particular expertise in China and Southeast Asia.

Joe is the founder and former editor-in-chief of China Economic Quarterly, one of the most respected publications covering the Chinese economy, and later founded Asianomics, a specialist research company focused on Asian political and economic analysis. His journalism has appeared in leading international publications, and he is a frequent commentator on global economic trends, development policy and the future of Asia.

Alongside How Asia Works, Joe is the author of The China Dream and Asian Godfathers, both acclaimed studies of the political and economic forces shaping modern Asia. His work is widely read by business leaders, investors, policymakers and academics seeking to understand the region’s growing influence on the global economy.

Today, Joe is a sought-after speaker who provides audiences with clear, evidence-based insights into Asia’s economic transformation, China’s evolving role in the world, and the geopolitical and economic trends shaping the future of global business.

How Asia Works, How Africa Works: Lessons in Economic Development

China, Geopolitics and the Future of Global Growth

Industrial Policy, Innovation and Economic Development

Southeast Asia: Opportunities and Risks in a Changing World

Global Trade, Supply Chains and the New Economic Order

He is one of the world’s foremost experts on Asian economic development, helping leaders understand the forces that have driven the region’s extraordinary rise and what they mean for the future of the global economy.
He translates complex issues in industrial policy, trade, finance and geopolitics into clear, evidence-based insights that help businesses, investors and policymakers make better strategic decisions.
He has spent more than three decades analysing Asia’s economic transformation, bringing audiences a deep understanding of why some nations succeed, how growth is sustained and where future opportunities will emerge.
He is the author of some of the most influential books on Asian development and China’s economic evolution, shaping global debates on economic policy, competitiveness and long-term growth.
His briefings help leaders navigate geopolitical uncertainty, understand Asia’s growing influence and identify the economic trends that will shape business and investment in the years ahead.