Ruth Badru is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Bristol. Her research focuses on macroeconomic policy, structural inequality, gender and care, and the political economy of knowledge. Working across both theoretical and empirical traditions, she draws on culturally grounded economic perspectives to examine how models and policies respond to equity, distributional, and developmental concerns.
She currently leads the Research England-funded Bristol Transport Project, co-producing policy solutions with policymakers, transport providers, and community organisations to improve access and inclusion for under-served communities.
Ruth contributes to national policy through the UK Women’s Budget Group’s Policy Advisory Group and has previously advised the Australian Government’s Office for Women on women’s economic participation. She is also the founding lead of the Rethinking Economics for Africa project and has collaborated with partners across the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Nigeria, and other West African countries on research, teaching, and public policy. Her work bridges academic, policy, and civic spaces with a sustained commitment to inclusive policies and the public role of economics.
