What inspired you to study at DPIR?
My path to DPIR was anything but direct. I grew up in some of the poorest parts of Ghana, and the idea of a university education—let alone a degree from Oxford—felt out of reach. However, I developed a keen interest in politics from an early age and sought out ways to observe and contribute to my country’s nascent democracy. A lucky opportunity to travel to the United States for a year of high school and then college further deepened my passion, as I participated in Boys State, worked on statewide electoral campaigns, and interned at the United States Senate in Washington, DC. It is safe to say that, by this point, I had completely fallen in love with politics, though I wasn’t yet sure how it would shape my future. Further experiences in China and back home in Ghana convinced me that I wanted to pursue a career researching Africa’s integration into the global economic system. Oxford became a possibility thanks to the newly created Rhodes Scholarship for West Africa. I applied to read for the MPhil in International Relations under the supervision of Professor Ricardo Soares de Oliveira, whose ground-breaking work on Sino-Africa relations was the model to which I aspired.
Can you tell us a little more about your research here?
My research grew out of a fascinating puzzle I noted while working for the Vice President of Ghana from 2018 to 2019—despite a strong aversion to International Monetary Fund (IMF) programs, which they viewed as politically costly, Ghanaian policymakers repeatedly turned to the Fund for bailouts during periods of economic crisis. Much of the scholarship on IMF participation I encountered during my studies emphasized domestic factors such as regime type, partisan ideology, leaders’ professional backgrounds, and coalitional politics, but none seriously considered the possibility that governments might make policy choices that contradict their actual preferences. A chance discovery of Jerome Roos’ excellent book Why Not Default? turned me on to thinking about the myriad ways in which the controllers of capital can leverage their “structural power” to influence the policymaking process within sovereign states. Building on this insight, my research explored how external financiers, particularly creditor states and capital market participants, constrain domestic policy autonomy and push crisis-stricken countries toward the IMF even when their governments would prefer alternative solutions. Empirically, my thesis involved extensive fieldwork in Ghana and Nigeria and combines rich qualitative narratives with quantitative analysis of IMF bailout requests over the period 1975-2022. A key finding of my research project is that while most governments are powerless against the structural power of external finance, rare cases of successful resistance exist and become more likely when either: (1) the target state’s dependence on foreign capital is low; or (2) the degree to which external financiers see it as politically or commercially significant is relatively high.
What are your favourite memories of Oxford and being part of DPIR?
In all honesty, my favourite Oxford memories revolve around my wife, whom I met in 2019 just months into the MPhil. Our relationship blossomed during the pandemic lockdown, which we spent in an embarrassingly joyful routine of online seminars, gardening, and discussing books during our one permitted daily walk. Many of the ideas that would subsequently shape my research emerged from those conversations. What I cherish most about Oxford is the unparalleled opportunity to connect with very brilliant people from different backgrounds and disciplines. My wife, who is a historian of early modern Christianity, often offers fascinating insights into debates on the political economy of Africa, enriching my perspective in ways I never anticipated. We got married last summer a few blocks down the street from the Manor Road Building, and if all goes according to plan, we will be graduating together from our respective DPhils this June.
How important was DPIR and Oxford in your life?
Being part of DPIR and the University of Oxford has been profoundly transformative for me, both personally and professionally. While I initially envisioned a career as a practicing politician, my time at Oxford ignited a deep passion for academic work, which has now become the central focus of my energies. The intellectual environment at DPIR nurtured my growth as a thinker and writer, teaching me the value of rigorous, patient research. I learned that truly understanding a problem requires time, immersion, and a willingness to approach familiar questions—like why countries seek IMF bailouts—from fresh and innovative angles. Oxford also instilled in me the importance of building bridges: between scholars and policymakers, between different academic traditions, and between the university and the wider world. Beyond academia, I’ve cherished the opportunity to meet and befriend people from diverse backgrounds, which has enriched my life in countless ways. Now, as I continue my postdoctoral work across the Atlantic, I carry forward the lessons, relationships, and intellectual curiosity that Oxford and DPIR have inculcated in me. The experience has been nothing short of life-changing.
How important was being a Job Market candidate and how did it help you secure a role in your chosen career?
During my time at Oxford, I was lucky enough to benefit from the guidance of Professor Ezequiel Gonzalez-Ocantos, who oversees professional development for DPIR. He does a truly outstanding job in supporting DPhil students as they navigate the academic job market. When I was offered an interview with Boston University, where I am now a postdoctoral researcher, Ezequiel organized a mock interview panel to help me prepare. The panel was so thorough and rigorous that, by comparison, the actual interview felt quite relaxed. This level of support was instrumental in building my confidence and sharpening my presentation skills, and it exemplifies the exceptional commitment DPIR has to ensuring its students succeed. I must also thank Simon Vitting, DPIR’s Research Manager, who gave me very helpful advice and reassurance.
What life lessons did DPIR give you?
One of the greatest benefits of DPIR is the rich and expansive web of intergenerational connections the department fosters. Early in my research journey, I came across the work of DPIR alumna Alexa Zeitz (now an assistant professor at Concordia University), whose thesis had been supervised by both Ben Ansell and Ricardo Soares de Oliveira before me. When I reached out to Alexa for guidance in shaping my project, she generously offered her support, which proved invaluable to my development as a scholar. Throughout my time at Oxford, I’ve been fortunate to receive input from an extraordinary network of mentors and colleagues. In turn, I’ve made it a priority to pay this forward by engaging with current MPhil and DPhil students, discussing their work and offering feedback. I’ve also spoken to many prospective students seeking advice on the application process. These mentoring relationships have been deeply rewarding, allowing me to contribute in my small way to DPIR's culture of inclusive and supportive collaboration.
What are your future plans?
I am currently working on turning my thesis into journal articles and a book and developing new projects in the realms of comparative politics and international political economy. Together with colleagues at the GDP Center, I am tracing the evolution of the IMF’s approach to climate change from the 1990s through to the present-day. I hope to advance our understanding of global economic governance while producing policy-relevant insights for practitioners navigating a rapidly changing global financial and environmental context. In addition, I’d like to work on investigating how African countries are confounding conventional expectations regarding the middle class, democracy, and financialization.
What advice would you give to prospective DPIR students?
Make the most of the experience. It’s a tremendous privilege to attend Oxford, and you should embrace every opportunity to engage with its rich intellectual community and social scene during your time there. Also, I would say that if someone’s work has inspired you—reach out! I have gained so much from cold emailing authors of articles or books I have enjoyed. Academics can be remarkably generous, and when the time comes, remember to pay it forward.
Read more about Kofi’s research: https://www.politics.ox.ac.uk/person/kofi-gunu