About

I am an applied economist interested in economic growth, social policy, and institutions. My research has covered topics such as the role of human capital in growth, the impact of fracking on health, the role of trade liberalisation in fostering economic growth and human development.

I have extensive teaching experience, gained from teaching a range of subjects in economics and quantitative skills at the Queen Mary University of London, Middlesex University, London and prestigious universities in Pakistan. I have disseminated my research output at a number of conferences in England, Scotland and the USA.

Teaching responsibilities

I lead and teach a module in econometrics, which is about understanding empirical research and how we can use applied econometric techniques to understand economic issues. I also lead on quantitative skills for the business module, which is about the ability to use spreadsheets for quantitative analysis, and the skills to interpret and communicate the results of data analysis. Also, I lead the corporate governance module, which looks at the framework of rules underpinning the relationships between corporations, their stakeholders, the government and the society at large. These modules contribute to key skills development for the employability of our graduates.  I have been responsible for teaching the following modules: 

• Applied intermediate macroeconomics
• International Business Theory and Strategy
• Introductory mathematics for economics
• Market analysis

Professional interests

The Enterprise Evaluation and Applied Economics Cluster Seminar Series

I have had the responsibility to organise seminar series for the Enterprise Evaluation and Applied Economics Cluster since 2018. Our research seminars showcase the research being undertaken by the cluster, as part of the Centre for Business Improvement. The series brings together prominent economists, staff and PhD students to present their work in the field.

Research projects:

• URSS (Undergraduate Research Scholarship Scheme)   
• Determinants of innovation in SMEs: An empirical analysis of the East Midlands

Research interests

• Role of human capital in promoting productivity and economic growth
• Drivers of productivity, innovation and economic growth
• Governance, productivity and economic growth
• Determinants of bank’s productivity and performance

Membership of professional bodies

•  Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
•  Scottish Economic Society

Qualifications

• 2009-2013 - PhD in Economics, Middlesex University in London
• 2008-2009 - MSc in Research Methods for Business and Management (distinction), Middlesex University in London
• 2002 - 2004 - MSc in Economics (distinction), Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad Pakistan
• 2006 - Teaching and Learning Certificate, Higher Education Commission (Pakistan)

I have won a number of scholarships during my studies for excellent academic performance.

Recent conferences

• 2022,   Pandemic and fear: Are they colliding? Evidence from the VIX futures index and the role of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Finance and Accounting 2022 Annual Research Symposium, held online hosted by the School of Finance and Accounting, Westminster Business School, University of Westminster. 
• 2021, An analysis of the impact of unconventional oil and gas activities on public health: New evidence across Oklahoma counties, Scottish Economic Society Conference, held online hosted by the University of Glasgow
• 2019, Governance thresholds and human capital–growth nexus, third Development Economic Conference (DEC) conference, University of Lincoln, UK.
• 2017, Governance thresholds and human capital–growth nexus, The Society for Institutional and Organizational Economics (SIOE) 2017 conference, New York, USA.
• 2013, Human capital, governance and productivity in Asian economies, GPEN–CGR Annual Conference, Queen Mary University, London, UK.
• 2013, The role of human capital accumulation in Productivity of Asian economies, Scottish Economic Society Conference, Perth Scotland.
• 2011, Openness, economic growth, and human development: Evidence from South Asia, Economic and Social Data Services, International Annual Conference London, UK.

Recent publications

• Apergis, N., Mustafa, G. and Malik, S. (2022). COVID-19 pandemic, stock returns, and volatility: the role of the vaccination program in Canada

• Apergis, N., Mustafa, G., & Khan, M. (2021). Governance thresholds and the human capital–growth nexus. Journal of Economic Studies

• Apergis, N., Mustafa, G., & Dastidar, S. G. (2021). An analysis of the impact of unconventional oil and gas activities on public health: New evidence across Oklahoma counties. Energy Economics, 1-14

• Apergis, N., Dastidar, S. G., & Mustafa, G. (2020). Fracking and Asset Prices: The Role of Health Indicators for House Prices Across Oklahoma’s Counties. Social Indicators Research, 1-20

• Lenkei, B., Mustafa, G., & Vecchi, M. (2018). Growth in emerging economies: Is there a role for education?. Economic Modelling, 73, 240-253

• Mustafa, G., Rizov, M., & Kernohan, D. (2017). Growth, human development, and trade: The Asian experience. Economic Modelling, 61, 93-101