Australian Economist Who Publicly Warned of the Global Financial Crisis, Research Fellow at UCL & Bestselling Author of ‘Debunking Economics’
Steve Keen’s Biography:
Professor Steve Keen is an Australian economist, author and Distinguished Research Fellow at UCL, internationally recognised for challenging conventional economic thinking and developing alternative approaches to understanding debt, financial instability and economic crises. A prominent critic of neoclassical economics, Steve was among a small group of economists who publicly warned of the Global Financial Crisis before it occurred. Drawing particularly on the work of Hyman Minsky and Irving Fisher, he has developed economic models that place private debt, banking and financial dynamics at the centre of analysis. Today, Steve brings these perspectives to global audiences through research, books, podcasts and keynote speaking.
Before entering academia, Steve developed an unusually varied professional background, working as a school teacher, education officer, conference organiser, editor, computer programmer, journalist and government adviser. He studied at the University of Sydney before completing postgraduate economics studies at the University of New South Wales. Steve subsequently established his academic career at the University of Western Sydney, where his research increasingly focused on financial instability and debt. In 2014, he joined Kingston University in London as Professor and Head of the School of Economics, History and Politics, later becoming Professor of Economics.
Steve’s research spans complex systems, macroeconomics, money creation, financial instability, energy and production, climate economics and critiques of conventional economic theory. He has produced more than 100 refereed publications and developed Minsky, an open-source system dynamics programme that enables the visual construction of monetary economic models. Steve is currently a Distinguished Research Fellow at UCL and continues to share economic ideas on the Debunking Economics podcast with Phil Dobbie.
Steve is the author of several influential books, most notably Debunking Economics, first published in 2001, which challenges fundamental assumptions underpinning neoclassical economics. His other works include Economics: Taking the Con out of Economics, Can We Avoid Another Financial Crisis? and The New Economics: A Manifesto. His early warnings about the financial crisis contributed to him receiving the Revere Award from the Real-World Economics Review in 2010. His books and research have reached audiences internationally, establishing Steve as a distinctive and provocative voice in contemporary economic debate.
Why Hire Steve Keen?
Steve is hired as a speaker for his ability to challenge established economic assumptions and offer audiences an alternative way of understanding financial crises, private debt, banking and the global economy. Having publicly warned of the Global Financial Crisis before it unfolded, he brings decades of research into how financial systems behave when conventional models fail to capture their complexity.
Steve also brings his ideas to wider audiences through the Debunking Economics podcast and major interviews. In 2026, he appeared on The Diary of a CEO, discussing economic instability and risks facing the global economy. His combination of academic expertise and willingness to question economic orthodoxy makes him an engaging choice for audiences seeking perspectives beyond conventional economic thinking.
Steve Keen’s Career Highlights:
Below are some of Steve Keen’s most notable career milestones:
- 2026 – Appeared on The Diary of a CEO, bringing his analysis of financial instability and global economic risks to the podcast’s international audience.
- 2025 – Continued expanding his public economic commentary through podcasting, including the launch of Rebel Economics with Dr. Steve Keen.
- 2021 – Published The New Economics: A Manifesto, setting out his arguments for fundamentally rethinking conventional economics.
- 2018 – Joined UCL, where he has continued his research into complex systems, macroeconomics and climate economics.
- 2017 – Published Can We Avoid Another Financial Crisis?, examining private debt and the conditions that can generate financial crises.
- 2016 – Served as Professor of Economics at Kingston University, continuing his work on alternative approaches to macroeconomics.
- 2014 – Became Professor and Head of the School of Economics, History and Politics at Kingston University.
- 2010 – Received the Revere Award from the Real-World Economics Review for his warnings ahead of the Global Financial Crisis.
- 2001 – Published Debunking Economics, his influential critique of key assumptions underpinning neoclassical economics.
- 1995 – Published work modelling financial instability that subsequently contributed to his analysis of the conditions preceding the Global Financial Crisis.
Videos
Steve Keen’s Official Keynote Speaking Videos & Showreel:
Testimonials
“Professor Steve Keen is an excellent choice for economic conferences, financial services events and organisations seeking a speaker prepared to question established assumptions about how economies function. His research into private debt, banking, financial instability and complex systems provides audiences with a different framework for examining economic risk. Steve is particularly relevant for events exploring financial crises, economic forecasting, climate economics and the future of capitalism. His combination of academic research, authorship and accessible media appearances allows him to turn complex economic arguments into provocative discussions for professional audiences.” – David Simms
Topics
Steve Keen’s Official Keynote Topics:
- The Economics of Climate Change
- Financial Instability
- Economic Problems of Developing Countries
- Money Creation
- Macroeconomics
- The Role of Energy in Production
- Logical & Mathematical Flaws in Conventional & Marxian Economic Theory
How Much Does Steve Keen Cost To Hire?
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Steve Keen?
The cost of hiring Professor Steve Keen depends on factors such as your event requirements, whether it’s in-person or virtual, and any travel or accommodation needs. To receive an accurate quote, contact a London Keynote Speakers Agency booking agent for expert guidance.
