Safa Joudeh is a PhD candidate in development studies at SOAS University of London.  Her research is focused on cluster-based development, global offshoring, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), multinationals and technology transfer.  Her current work revolves around how FDI impacts the economic geography of regions, bearing on opportunities for domestic industrial upgrading, and engaging with the broader questions of industrial organisation, economic development and multi level governance in new industrial areas. She has previously worked as a political and security risk analyst for several international bodies.