Andrew Reid Bell

Andrew Reid Bell is the Schleifer Family Associate Professor of Sustainability in the Department of Global Development at Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. His research employs agent-based modeling and behavioral experiments to study rural livelihood adaptations, with applications in migration, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability.

His educational background includes a PhD in Natural Resource Management from the University of Michigan (2010), followed by post-doctoral work at Columbia University's Earth Institute and positions at IFPRI and NYU.

Research interests focus on agent-based modeling frameworks like MIDAS, which examines migration as an emergent outcome of livelihood adaptations. Current projects integrate capabilities and aspirations theory to model rural investments in Senegal and Madagascar, funded by the Belmont Forum.

Recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate trends in climate adaptation modeling, agricultural decision-making, and sanitation infrastructure. Key themes include agent-based model development, payment for ecosystem services effectiveness, and mixed-methods field validation across Global South contexts.

Awards and recognition include the Atkinson Venture Fund grant supporting interdisciplinary climate solutions.

Dr. Bell leads a research lab focusing on rural livelihoods decision-making using coupled natural-human systems modeling. The lab's current projects span human-wildlife conflict, irrigation management, and technology adoption, employing smartphone-based data collection and behavioral experiments.