Jeff Unsicker

Jeff Unsicker, PhD, is a Professor and former Academic Dean/Interim President of SIT Graduate Institute. He specializes in policy advocacy, NGO leadership, and the political economy of development. His work focuses on grassroots civil society organizations driving social change, particularly in contexts like Tanzania, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe.

Education:

• PhD, Stanford University
• MA, Stanford University
• BA, University of California, San Diego

Research Interests: Combines academic rigor with practical activism, addressing themes such as:

• Advocacy strategies for NGOs
• Foreign aid effectiveness in rural development
• Ujamaa socialism's legacy in Tanzania
• Transnational advocacy networks

Professional Contributions: Co-founded a global NGO leadership partnership, advised BRAC, Oxfam, and CARE, and led programs for the Ford Foundation's International Fellowships Program. His book Confronting Power synthesizes theory and practice in policy advocacy.

Leadership Roles: Directed Vermont's anti-nuclear coalition, oversaw SIT's academic governance, and coordinated Southern California community advocacy initiatives.