Charles Phillips is an independent researcher and consultant specialized in sustainable development in the Gulf Arab states. He has an MPhil in Modern Middle Eastern studies from the University of Oxford and a BA in international relations from the University of Exeter. His research has focused on energy and climate change policy in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council. He is also particularly interested in the emerging tourism, heritage, and culture sectors in Saudi Arabia. His work has included extended periods of in-country field research in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, Palestine, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria.