Kate Oakley is a writer and policy analyst, specialising in the cultural industries, cultural policy and regional development. She is a Visiting Professor at the Department of Cultural Policy and Management, City University, and at the University of the Arts in London.

She was the author of the "Creative London" Report in 2004 and has worked with a number of cities and regions, both in the UK and internationally, on public policy in the cultural industries. Recent publications in this field include London’s Creative Economy: An Accidental Success? (2007) co-written with John Knell, published by the Work Foundation and Better Than Working For a Living? (2007) a study of labour markets in festivals and events, published by City University.

Kate’s current research interests concern labour in the cultural industries, urban policy and art education.