David Lewis

David Lewis is a Professor of Social Policy and Development at the London School of Economics (LSE), specializing in South Asia and Bangladesh. His work bridges anthropology and development studies, focusing on NGOs, civil society, and the historical dimensions of development policy. He has advised international agencies like Sida, DFID, and UNDP, and his research explores 'policy amnesia' and the interplay between development narratives and grassroots realities.

Research Interests

• Anthropology of Policy
• NGO Effectiveness and Critique
• South Asian Development Dynamics
• Historical Analysis of Development Interventions
• Entrepreneurship Advice in Bangladesh/Sri Lanka

Professional Engagements

• Consultant for major development organizations
• Author/editor of influential texts including Bangladesh: Politics, Economy and Civil Society (2011) and New Mediums, Better Messages? (2022)
• Editor of Popular Representations of Development (2013), analyzing media's role in shaping development perceptions

His work critiques top-down development paradigms while emphasizing historical context and local agency.