Hello and welcome to this page. I am Alper Kara and this website provides some information about my research interests and activities.
Currently, I am a professor of banking and finance at the Brunel University London, Department of Economics and Finance. Previously, I was the Head of Department for Accounting, Finance and Economics and professor of finance at the University of Huddersfield.
I have not been an academic all my professional life as, after completing an Economics degree, I started to work (in 1999) as a bond and FX trader. Getting a British Council chevening scholarship to study a masters degree has attracted me to academia, and I studied for MBA and PhD degrees at the University of Wales, Bangor. Since 2005, I have worked in various capacities in a number of universities.
My research interest lies in the area of banking. These days I am working on topics in responsible banking, securitization, financial inclusion and banks governance. I published articles in various world-leading journals and co-authored books. Some of my work has featured in globally important policy making institutions (Fed, ECB, IMF and BIS).
I am an experienced teacher and enjoy teaching in the areas of banking, finance and economics at all levels (UG, PG and Executive Education). I taught modules in Singapore, Hong Kong, Bahrain and Kazakhstan.
I acted as an external examiner in various business schools in the UK and internationally. I am particularly interested in integrating financial trading and information platforms into the design of modules and degree programmes.