An expert in global food security, Dr. Barrett is Co-Editor in Chief of Food Policy and author of more than 250 journal articles centering on the micro-economics of poverty and hunger in low-income nations and regions. He has published more than 70 chapters in books and has edited 20 books on topics including poverty dynamics, natural resource management in Sub-Saharan Africa, International food aid, and agricultural intensification. From his published credentials, Professor Barrett’s record of leadership is clear: he is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, and the African Association of Agricultural Economists.
What the record cannot show as clearly, however, is his outstanding efforts and successes as a mentor and colleague for numerous younger development economists who are working citizens in nations where substantive improvement is imperative. Given the nature of his research program on poverty, food insecurity, and sustainability among marginalized sub-populations globally, Professor Barrett has always made a special effort to engage students and young scholars from underrepresented groups. Prof. Barrett has secured over $5 million in funding for two major interdisciplinary PhD training programs that focused on food systems and poverty reduction in sub-Saharan Africa—one funded by the Rockefeller Foundation to support African nationals, and the other an NSF Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) to support US citizens and permanent residents. Together, these programs have supported 41 PhD candidates, 26 of them women, and 21 of them students of color.
During this workshop targeting graduate students, Dr. Barrett will share reflections as an applied economist, including changes in the profession, and how best to achieve impact. Ample time will be reserved for Q&A.
