Skip to content
Leila Simona Talani, Professor of International Political Economy

Professor Leila Simona Talani

Professor of International Political Economy

Leila joined King’s in 2009, and lectures in the field of International Political Economy. Her expertise spans European political dynamics, migration, and the global financial system. Her extensive scholarly contributions include several influential publications addressing critical issues in migration, Europe’s political economy, and global financial structures. Leila's expertise has established her as a thought leader in dissecting complex economic systems and their broader social impacts. This has made her a sought-after voice in academic and policy-making circles worldwide.

Research interests


International political economy and the Middle East

Investigates the interplay between economic policies and geopolitical strategies in the Middle East.


European political economy

Focuses on the economic frameworks and policies within the European Union and their impact on member states.


Political economy of international migration

Analyses economic factors influencing migration patterns globally and the resultant political effects.


Italy and the EMU

Studies Italy's role and economic strategies within the European Monetary Union.

Career highlights and qualifications

  • Founder and Director of the Centre for Italian Politics since 2022. Awarded a PhD with distinction at the European University Institute of Florence in 1998.
  • Current Director of the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence for relations between the EU and the UK.
  • Editor of the Palgrave series on the Politics of Migration and Citizenship since 2020.
  • Awarded Visiting Professorship at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, 2017.
  • Appointed Jean Monnet Chair of European Political Economy by the European Commission in 2012.
  • Served as an Associate Expert for the UN in Cairo focusing on irregular migration from the Middle East and Northern Africa to EU countries, 2000-2001.

Consider political, economic, and social forces in a global context

Explore the Global Political Economy MA