Dr Jackson studied at the University of Sussex (DPhil in Economics), the University of Nottingham (MSc Economics) and the University of Kent (BA in Mathematics and Economics). She is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has been awarded the title of Reader in Economics. Karen has also previously held positions at the UK Department for International Development, University of Sussex and University of Bradford, as well as working as a consultant for the Commonwealth Secretariat. Moreover, she has been called upon to be an expert panel member and peer reviewer for the UK Economic Social Research Council, alongside undertaking a range of external examiner and expert appointments. Her research focuses on trade, finance and development, with recent work published in the Canadian Journal of Economics, Journal of International Money and Finance, China Economic Review, The World Economy, Open Economies Review, Journal of International Development and Economic Modelling.