Richard Griffiths (b.1948) is an economic historian with a BSc (Econ) from Swansea and PhD from Cambridge. Currently he directs the 'New Silk Road' research project at the International Institute for Asian Studies in Leiden. Previously he has been a full professor in Leiden University, the European University Institute in Florence and the Free University, Amsterdam. He has also taught for 20 years in the MA European Studies progamme in Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. He has published widely on 19th and 20th century topics including European integration, economic development and international trade arrangements. His book, Configuring the World, attempts to show the forces shaping the today's global economy while, at the same time, questioning the use of the statistics that often underpin their analysis. His most recent work explores the reality behind China's famous Belt and Road Initiative.