Robert Cull

Robert Cull serves as Research Manager and Lead Economist in the World Bank's Development Research Group, where he leads pioneering research on financial development and inclusion in emerging economies. His research portfolio encompasses critical areas including microfinance institution performance, African and Chinese financial development, and the impact of global financial crises on developing economies' banking systems. His influential work spans theoretical and empirical investigations of financial inclusion, particularly focusing on how microfinance and banking services can better serve underserved communities. As a prolific scholar, he has published extensively in top-tier academic journals including the Economic Journal, Journal of Development Economics, and Journal of Financial Economics. His co-edited book "Banking the World: Empirical Foundations of Financial Inclusion" represents a significant contribution to understanding global financial inclusion. Beyond his research, Cull shapes policy discussions through his role as co-editor of Interest Bearing Notes, a newsletter focused on financial and private sector development. His recent work examines agent networks in microfinance institutions, financial resilience in emergencies, and the evolution of financial inclusion strategies in developing economies.