John Kerr

John Kerr is a Professor in the Department of Community Sustainability at Michigan State University (MSU), affiliated with the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. His work spans international agricultural development and natural resource management, focusing on rural poverty alleviation and sustainable practices.

• Ph.D. in Applied Economics (Stanford University, 1990)
• Prior roles at ICRISAT (India) and IFPRI (Washington, D.C.)

Research interests include collective action, property rights, and economic incentives in natural resource management, with fieldwork in India, Mexico, Egypt, and other countries. His work bridges agricultural technology adoption and conservation practices to address rural development challenges.

Recent publications highlight community engagement in sustainability (e.g., informal recyclers at football tailgates) and policy guidance for farmers. He serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of the Commons and leads MSU's Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, fostering global collaboration.

Notable recognition: Charles A. Gliozzo International Award for Public Diplomacy (2022), honoring his mentorship of over 30 international graduate students and contributions to cross-cultural education. His teaching includes courses like Foundations of Community Sustainability and Program Evaluation.