School of Social and Political Science

Background

My research examines the role that low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and emerging economies play in shaping global economic governance, as well as the opportunities and challenges they face in reforming global governance institutions. My book, The Politics of Investment Treaties in Latin America (OUP, 2022) examined the conditions under which governments infringe on, and reform, their international investment agreements. I have also examined the legal and political tools governments and civil society groups use to defend public and political interests in investor-state arbitration. I am particularly interested in issues of policy space, how foreign investment can be harnessed to promote sustainable and inclusive development, and changing preference alignment with respect to trade and investment policy across LMICs and advanced economies. My research has also examined the impact of leadership psychology on the taxation of windfall profits in South America. 

I am currently working on a project that examines the role that international organisations play in the reform of international investment law, paying particular attention to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the United Nations Trade and Development, and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. 

I am a convener of the International Political Economy Working Group of the British International Studies Association (2024-2026) and Programme Chair for the International Political Economy Section of the International Studies Association (2025-2026). 

For current and ongoing projects as well as presented papers please contact Dr. Calvert directly. 

Recent publications

2025. The profits of personality: advancing the fourth "I" in international political economy research. Review of International Political Economy. Online First. 

2025. "The political economy of an investment facilitation for development agreement in Brazil, India, and China." In The Making of an International Investment Facilitation Framework, edited by Axel Berger and Manjiao Chi. Cambridge University Press. pp. 148 - 174. 

2023. Beyond "once BITten, twice shy": defending the legitimacy of investor-state dispute settlement in Peru and Australia. Review of International Political Economy, 30(5): 1799-1823. [with Kyla Tienhaara]

2022. The Politics of Investment Treaties in Latin America. Oxford University Press.

2022. Does ownership matter? Claimant characteristics and case outcomes in investor-state arbitration. New Political Economy 27(5): 788 - 805. [with Charlotte Rommerskirchen and Arjen van der Heide].

Teaching

International Political Economy (prehonours)

Political Economy of Latin America (Hons)

Qualifications

• PhD in Politics and Political Economy
• MA in Politics and International Development