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Professor Gavin Hilson

Chair of Sustainability in Business

Further information

Biography

g.m.hilson@surrey.ac.uk

Gavin is a leading global authority on the environmental and social impacts of the small-scale mining sector.  He has published over 100 journal articles, book chapters and reports on the subject, his specialist knowledge widely recognized internationally.  He has delivered talks on small-scale mining at United Nations headquarters in New York, the World Bank in Washington DC and several universities worldwide.  He has also provided consultancy services on the subject for a range of organizations: the UK Department for International Development, World Bank and EGMONT (Royal Institute for International Relations in Brussels); the NGO sector, including the Alliance for Responsible Mining and the WWF Guianas; and corporations such as Newmont Gold Mining and Gold Fields.  

Gavin is an editorial board member of the international journal, Resources Policy, and an associate editor of the Journal of Cleaner Production.  He is also an executive board member of the Diamond Development Initiative (DDI), an NGO established to improve awareness and eliminate circulation of ‘conflict diamonds’.   

He received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Toronto, and his PhD from the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine.  His first academic post was at Cardiff University, where he held the post, Lecturer in Environmental Policy, in the School of City and Regional Planning.  Following this appointment, he moved to the Institute of Development Policy and Management (IDPM), the University of Manchester, where he held the post of Lecturer in Environment and Development.  In 2007, he moved to the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, The University of Reading, taking up a permanent lectureship in Environment and Development.  He was promoted to Reader in 2009.  

Research Interests

For over a decade, Gavin has carried out research on mining and development in Ghana, Mali, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Malawi and Guyana.  His work has been funded by a range of organizations, including the ESRC, British Council, British Academy, the Royal Society and Nuffield Foundation.  He is presently carrying out research on mineral certification schemes; Corporate Social Responsibility in the mining sector, specifically the application of a ‘social license to operate’ in sub-Saharan Africa and relations between multinationals and artisanal operators; and linkages between smallholder farming, agricultural liberalization and the growth of small-scale mining.

Publications

Journal articles

  • Hilson GM, Garforth CJ. (2012) ''Agricultural Poverty’ and the Expansion of Artisanal Mining in Sub-Saharan Africa: Experiences from Southwest Mali and Southeast Ghana'. Springer Verlag Population Research and Policy Review, 31 (3), pp. 435-464.
    doi: 10.1007/s11113-012-9229-6
  • Hilson GM, van Bockstael S. (2012) 'Poverty and Livelihood Diversification in Rural Liberia: Exploring the Linkages Between Artisanal Diamond Mining and Smallholder Rice Production'. Taylor and Francis The Journal of Development Studies, 48 (3), pp. 416-431.
    doi: 10.1080/00220388.2011.604414
  • Hilson GM, Garforth CJ. (2012) ''Everyone Now is Concentrating on the Mining': Drivers and Implications of Rural Economic Transition in the Eastern Region of Ghana'. Taylor & Francis The Journal of Development Studies,
    doi: 10.1080/00220388.2012.713469
  • Hilson GM. (2012) 'Corporate Social Responsibility in the Extractive Industries: Experiences from Developing Countries'. Resources Policy, 37 (2), pp. 131-137.
    doi: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2012.01.002
  • Hilson GM. (2012) 'Poverty Traps in Small-Scale Mining Communities: The Case of Sub-Saharan Africa'. Taylor and Francis Canadian Journal of Development Studies, 33 (2), pp. 180-197.
    doi: 10.1080/02255189.2012.687352
  • Hilson GM. (2012) 'Family Hardship and Cultural Values: Child Labor in Malian Small-Scale Gold Mining Communities'. Elsevier World Development, 40 (8), pp. 1663-1674.
    doi: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2012.03.017
  • Hilson GM. (2012) 'Corporate Social Responsibility inthe Extrative Industries: Experiences from Developing Countries'. Elsevier Resources Policy, 37 (1), pp. 131-260.
  • Hilson GM, Maconachie R. (2011) 'Artisanal Gold Mining: A New Frontier in Post-Conflict Sierra Leone?'. Taylor & Francis (Routledge) Journal of Development Studies, 47 (4), pp. 595-616.
    doi: 10.1080/00220381003599402
  • Hilson GM. (2011) ''Inherited Commitments': Do Changes in Ownership Affect Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at African Gold Mines?'. African Journal of Business Management, 5 (27), pp. 10921-10939.
    doi: 10.5897/AJBM10.1608
  • Hilson GM, Maconachie R. (2011) 'Safeguarding Livelihoods or Exacerbating Poverty?: Artisanal Mining and Formalization in West Africa'. John Wiley and Sons Natural Resources Forum, 35 (4), pp. 293-303.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1477-8947.2011.01407.x
  • Hilson GM, Kamlongera P. (2011) 'Poverty Alleviation in rural Malawi: Is There a Role for Artisanal Mining?'. Taylor & Francis Journal of Eastern African Studies, 5 (1), pp. 42-69.
    doi: 10.1080/17531055.2011.544545
  • Hilson GM, Van Bockstael G. (2011) 'Diamond Mining, Rice Farming and a "Maggi Cube": A Viable Poverty Alleviation Strategy in Rural Liberia'. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd Journal of International Development, 23 (8), pp. 1042-1053.
    doi: 10.1002/jid.1830
  • Hilson GM, Ackah-Baidoo A. (2011) 'Can Microcredit Services Alleviate Hardship in African Small-Scale Mining Communities'. Elsevier World Development, 39 (7), pp. 1191-1203.
    doi: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2010.10.004
  • Hilson GM. (2011) 'Artisanal Mining, Smallholder Farming and Livelihood Diversification in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa'. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd The Journal of International Development, 23 (8), pp. 1031-1150.
    doi: 10.1002/jid.1829
  • Hilson GM. (2011) 'Artisanal Mining, Smallholder Farming and Livlihood Diversification in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa: An Introduction'. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd Journal of International Development, 23 (8), pp. 1031-1041.
    doi: 10.1002/jid.1829
  • Hilson GM, Okoh G. (2011) 'Poverty and Livelihood Diversification: Exploring the Linkages Between Smallholder Farming and Artisanal Mining in Rural Ghana'. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd Journal of International Development, 23 (8), pp. 1100-1014.
    doi: 10.1002/jid.1834
  • Hilson GM. (2010) 'Livelihood diversification and the expansion of artisanal mining in rural Tanzania: Drivers and policy implications'. IP Publishing Outlook on Agriculture, 39 (2), pp. 141-147.
    doi: 10.5367/000000010791745358
  • Hilson GM. (2010) 'Challenges with Eradicating Child Labour in the Artisanal Mining Sector: Experiences from Northern Ghana'. Wiley Journal of Community Practice: organizing, planning, development and change, 41 (3), pp. 445-473.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1467-7660.2010.01646.x
  • Hilson GM, Banchirigah SM. (2010) 'De-Agrarianization, Re-Agrarianization and Local Economic Development: Re-Orienting Livelihoods in African Artisanal Mining Communities'. SpringerLink Policy Sciences: an international journal devoted to the improvement of policy making, 43 (2), pp. 157-180.
    doi: 10.1007/s11077-009-9091-5
  • Hilson GM. (2010) ''Once a Miner, Always a Miner': Poverty and Livelihood Diversification in Akwatia, Ghana'. Elsevier Journal of Rural Studies, 26 (3), pp. 296-307.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2010.01.002,
  • Hilson GM, Clifford MJ. (2010) 'Small-Scale Mining, Mercury and Environmental Health: Challenges and Ways Forward in Rural Ghana'. The International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 41 (3-4), pp. 185-325.
  • Hilson GM, Clifford MJ. (2010) 'Small-Scale Gold Mining, the Environment and Human Health: An Introduction to the Ghana Case'. Inderscience Publishers International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 41 (3-4), pp. 185-194.
    doi: 10.1504/IJEP.2010.033229
  • Hilson GM. (2010) ''A Kimberley Project': Diamond Mining, Export Sanctions and Poverty in Akwatia, Ghana'. Oxford Journals African Affairs, 109 (436), pp. 431-450.
    doi: 10.1093/afraf/adq020
  • Hilson GM, Banchirigah SM. (2009) 'Are Alternate Livelihood Projects Alleviating Poverty in Mining Communities? Experiences from Ghana'. Taylor & Francis (Routledge) Journal of Development Studies, 45 (2), pp. 172-196.
    doi: 10.1080/00220380802553057
  • Hilson GM. (2009) 'Small-Scale Mining, Poverty and Development in Sub-Saharan Africa'. Resources Policy, 34 (1-2), pp. 1-86.
    doi: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2008.12.001
  • Hilson GM. (2009) 'Small-Scale Mining, Poverty and Economic Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Overview'. Elsevier Resources Policy, 34 (1-2), pp. 1-5.
    doi: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2008.12.001
  • Hilson GM, Carstens J. (2009) 'Mining, Grievance and Conflict in Rural Tanzania'. Liverpool University Press International Development Planning Review, 31 (3), pp. 301-326.
    doi: 10.3828/idpr.31.3.5
  • Hilson GM, Maconachie E. (2009) 'Good Governance and the Extractive Industries in Sub-Saharan Africa'. Taylor and Francis Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review, 30 (1), pp. 52-100.
    doi: 10.1080/08827500802045511
  • Hilson GM. (2008) ''Fair Trade Gold': Antecedents, Prospects and Challenges'. Elsevier Geoforum, 39 (1), pp. 386-400.
    doi: 10.1016/j.geoforum.2007.09.003
  • Hilson GM. (2008) ''A Load Too Heavy': A Critical Examination of the Child Labor Problem in African Artisanal Mining Communities'. Elsevier Children and Youth Services Review, 30, pp. 1233-1245.
    doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2008.03.008
  • Hilson GM. (2006) 'Improving Environment, Ethical and Economic Performance in the Mining Industry: Part 1: Environmental Management and Sustainable Development'. Journal of Cleaner Production, 14 (3-4), pp. 225-462.
  • Hilson GM. (2006) 'Improving Environment, Ethical and Economic Performance in the Mining Industry: Part 2: Life Cycle and Process Analysis, Innovation and Technical Change'. Journal of Cleaner Production, 14 (12-13), pp. 1039-1188.
  • Hilson GM. (2003) 'Environmental Management in the Small-Scale Mining Industry'. Journal of Cleaner Production, 11 (2)

Conference papers

  • Hilson GM. (2012) 'REDD+ and Mining in Guyana and Ghana'. Bergen Resource Centre for International Development, Bergen: Facing the Realities of Corruption and REDD+
  • Hilson GM. (2012) 'REDD+ and Mining in Guyana: A Critical Review'. Accra: Climate Change & Population Conference on Africa Regional Insitute for Population Studies (RIPS)
  • Hilson GM. (2012) 'The Role of Public Policy in Improving and Promoting ASM'. Accra: Africa Wide Cross Networks/Constituencies Meeting on the African Mining Vision
  • Hilson GM. (2012) 'Enhancing the Developmental Potential of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining'. Washington DC: Enhancing the Development Potential of Artisanal and Small Scale Mining
  • Hilson GM. (2012) 'Fair Trade Gold: Calibrating an Unrealistic Standard?'. Munich Centre on Governance, Munich: Governing Sustainability: Global Standards and Certification Schemes in the Natural Resources Sector
  • Hilson GM. (2012) 'The Extractive Industries and Livlihood Changes in Developing Countries'. New York City: Association of Americaqn Geographers Annual Meeting
  • Hilson GM. (2011) 'The Challenges of Small-Scale Mining: An Overview of Current Policy Responses'. Egmont Palace, Brussels: Artisanal Diamond Mining and Rural Change in West and Central Africa
  • Hilson GM. (2011) 'Diamonds for Development in Ghana'. Charles Léopold Mayer Foundation for the Progress of Mankind, Paris: Beyond the Resource Curse, New Dynamics in the Management of Natural Resources: New Actors and Concepts
  • Hilson GM. (2011) 'Child Labour Artisanal Mining in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Critical Overview'. New York City: United Nations 19th Annual Conference on Sustainable Production and Consumption
  • Hilson GM. (2011) 'Working for the Family: An Overview of Child Labour Dynamics in West African Artisanal Gold Planning Communities'. The University of Birmingham: Centre for West African Studies Seminar Series
  • Hilson GM. (2010) 'Inherited Commitments: How Do Mergers and Acquisitions Affect Corporate Social Responsibility at African Gold Mines'. The University of London: CSR and Stakeholder Engagement in the Extractive Sector
  • Hilson GM. (2010) 'Poverty Traps in Small Scale Mining Communities: Case Studies from West Africa'. Oxford University: Africa Studies Association of the UK Biennial Conference 2010
  • Hilson GM. (2010) ''Agricultural Poverty' and the Expansion of Artisanal Mining: Case Studies from West Africa'. University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, Ghana: 1st Annual Mining and Mineral Conference
  • Hilson GM. (2010) 'Africa's 'Dual Gold Mining Economy': Antecedents, Issues and Implications'. Skellefteå, Sweden: Euro Mine Expo 2010
  • Hilson GM. (2010) 'Artisanal Mining in Sub-Saharan Africa: Priorities and Needs'. New York City: United Nations 18th Annual Conference on Sustainable Production and Consumption
  • Hilson GM. (2010) 'Poverty, De-agrarianization and the Ris eof Small-Scale Mining in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa'. Department of Geography, the University of Toronto at Mississauga: Csillag Seminar Series in Geography
  • Hilson GM. (2009) 'Challenges with Eradicating Child Labour in African Small-Scale Mining Communities: A Case Study of the Talensi-Nabdam, Upper East Region of Ghana'. York University, Toronto, Canada: Rethinking Extractive Industry Regulation, Dispossession and Emerging Claims
  • Hilson GM. (2009) 'Eradicating Child Labour in Artisanal Mining Communities: The Case of Sub-Saharan Africa'. University of Cambridge: Mining Across Generations, CRASSH
  • Hilson GM. (2008) 'Livlihoods in Transition: De-agrarianization and the Rise of Artisanal Mining in Sub-Saharan Africa'. University College London: Department of Anthropology Seminar Series
  • Hilson GM. (2008) 'Structural Adjustment, Rural Livlihood Diversification and the Rise of Illegal Artisanal Mining in Sub-Sharan Africa'. Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, Toronto: The West African Mining Seminar
  • Hilson GM. (2008) 'Re-Agrarianizing Rural Ghana: Can Farming-Based Alternative Livlihoods Offset Illegal Gold Mining Activity'. Accra, Ghana: Beyond Foreign Direct Investment in Africa's Mining Sector
  • Hilson GM. (2008) 'Mining and Rural Development: The Trajectory of Diamond Production in Ghana'. Didimala Game Lodge, South Africa: Validation Workshop for he Egmont Artisanal Diamond Mining Project, Sponsored by Egmont (The Royal Institute for International Studies)
  • Hilson GM. (2008) 'Mercury Management at Ghanaian Small-Scale Godl Mines: What Lessons for the Guianas?'. WWF Guianas Programs Office, WWF Guianas, Georgetown, Guyana: Improving the Management of the Goldmining Sector
  • Hilson GM. (2008) 'Can the National Youth Employment Program Alleviate the Illegal Minign Problem in Ghana?'. VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam: Anthropology of Small Scale Gold Mining and Development: Cultural, Social, and Economic Readings of the Opportunities of a Natural Resource
  • Hilson GM. (2008) 'How 'Lootable' is Alluvial Gold?'. Department of Anthropology, University of Durham and British Academy, Durham: Examining the Long-Term Impact of Post-Colonial Phases of Extractive Industry on Indigenous Livelihoods
  • Hilson GM. (2008) 'Is Alluvial Gold A 'Lootable' Resource'. School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading: Tuesday Seminar programme 2007-2008

Books

  • Hilson GM. (2006) Small-scale mining, rural subsistence and poverty in West Africa. Practical Action
  • Hilson GM. (2003) The Socio-Economic Impacts of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Developing Countries. Taylor & Francis

Book chapters

  • Hilson GM. (2012) 'Fair Trade Gold:Prospects for Africa's Artisanal Miners'. in Reed AM, Reed D, Utting P (eds.) Business Regulation and Non-State Actors Routledge Article number 20
  • Hilson GM. (2011) ''A Conflict of Interest'? A Critical Examination of Artisanal/Large-scale Miner Relations in Sub-Saharan Africa'. in Botchway FN (ed.) Natural Resource Investment and Africa's Development Edward Elgar Publishing
  • Hilson GM, Maconachie R. (2009) 'The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative: Panacea or White Elephant for Sub-Saharan Africa?'. in Richards J (ed.) Mining, Society, and a Sustainable World Springer
  • Hilson GM. (2008) 'Mining and Rural Development: The Trajectory of Diamond Production in Ghana'. in Vlassenroot K, Bockstael SV (eds.) Artisanal Diamond Mining Academia Pr Scientific Pub