Naji is the co-founder and managing partner of UrbanEmerge and an Associate Professor at UCL (University College London), teaching on courses related to urban economic development; industrial development & analysis; international trade & global value chains; and research in practice. Naji also supervises Masters and PhD students; his research and teaching is focused on achieving a just and circular transition. 

 

Since co-founding UrbanEmerge in 2017, Naji has conducted research projects for development agencies such as the World Bank, the FCDO, UK Aid and UNIDO, and private sector clients including the GSMA, CDC Group (UK government impact investors), Jone Lang Lasalle (JLL) and Digital Catapult. 

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Naji is currently leading UrbanEmerge's Social Enterprise spin-out, Circular Kitchens CIC, launched in Summer 2024. The purpose of Circular Kitchens is to help transition our food systems to become more local, ecological, plastic free and zero waste, by offering food service businesses an audited journey and certification with guidance and tools. .

 

Naji is currently based in Whitstable by the seaside.  He enjoys cycling on the beach, playing the guitar and watching the sun set in the sea.​

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LinkedIn Profile

Academic profile at UCL

Circular Kitchens

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