Available to book
James Robinson
Book James Robinson, Nobel Prize-winning economist and political institutions expert. Robinson works with business leaders and policymakers on economic growth, political systems, and global power shifts, delivering insights from bestselling author of Why Nations Fail and University of Chicago professor.
James Robinson is an economist and political scientist whose research explains why some nations prosper while others remain trapped in poverty, offering audiences a framework grounded in decades of original inquiry. Robinson won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Economics and co-authored the international bestseller Why Nations Fail. He holds a joint appointment at the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy and Department of Political Science, where his work bridges economic theory and political institutions. His research demonstrates that man-made institutions, not geography or culture, determine whether countries grow or stagnate. Robinson draws on case studies spanning centuries and continents to show how inclusive political systems create the conditions for innovation and broad-based prosperity. His analysis of China's rapid economic rise and its implications for American global standing gives business leaders and policymakers a clearer picture of shifting power dynamics. Audiences leave Robinson's talks with a deeper understanding of how political structures shape economic outcomes, practical insight into why inclusive institutions outperform extractive ones, and a historically grounded perspective on where global economic power is heading. His arguments are backed by peer-reviewed research and tested against real-world examples from both thriving and failing states. Book James Robinson to give your audience the rare combination of Nobel-level scholarship delivered with clarity and relevance.
Robinson's Nobel-winning research on institutional economics gives leadership teams a rigorous framework for understanding geopolitical risk and long-term market stability. His work on China's trajectory and the mechanics of inclusive versus extractive systems translates directly into strategic planning for organisations navigating shifting global power structures.
often considered together
Paul Romer
Innovation
Economics
Sustainability
frequently asked questions
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Email james.robinson@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm James's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.
Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.
The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.
Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.
Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
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