Dr Hafiz Muhammad Usman Rana
Dr Hafiz Muhammad Usman Rana is an expert in international finance working at the intersection of global markets and public policy. As Senior Lecturer in Finance at Birmingham City University and Lead for Partnerships and Apprenticeships, he integrates academic research with institutional strategy, contributing to debates on financial stability, economic governance, and sustainable development.
Dr Rana holds a PhD in Finance, specialising in international precious metals markets, with research examining macroeconomic determinants, market efficiency, and financial volatility across developed and emerging economies. His research is published in leading peer-reviewed journals and contributes to contemporary debates on climate finance, carbon markets, central bank digital currencies, and SME finance.
Prior to joining BCU, Dr Rana served as a Financial Analyst at S&P Global, where he led cross-border securities analysis and market intelligence operations.
Beyond the University, Dr Rana plays a prominent role in economic policy advisory. As Senior Policy Advisor on Fiscal Policy and Monetary Strategy at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), he contributes to the national-level discussions on macroeconomic stability, debt sustainability, IMF engagement, fiscal reform, and monetary strategy. His advisory work supports the development of innovative and inclusive economic frameworks aimed at long-term sustainable growth.
Dr Rana is an active contributor to the wider academic community. He serves as an External Examiner for several UK and international institutions, including University College Cork (Ireland), the University of Sunderland (London), Anglia Ruskin University (Cambridge) and De Montfort University. He is also a peer reviewer for leading journals such as the Journal of Commodity Markets, Research in International Business and Finance, and Finance Research Letters.
His intellectual engagement extends prominently into the public sphere. A frequent keynote speaker at international finance summits and policy forums, he addresses themes including precious metals economics, green finance, economic recovery, and sustainable development. His expertise is regularly featured across major television networks and print media, including PTV World, SAMAA TV, Channel 24HD, SUCH TV, Channel 24HD, DM News English, Dawn, The News International, The News Sunday, The Express Tribune, and Bauer Media platforms. His recent article in The Conversation — “The record gold price reflects a deeper problem than recent global instability” has been read by over 54000 readers worldwide, underscoring his growing international reach and public impact.
Currently, he is engaged in various research projects that focus on carbon markets, central bank digital currency volatilities, precious metals pricing and SMEs' access to finance.