Michael Woolcock

Michael Woolcock is a **Lecturer in Public Policy** at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) and **Lead Social Scientist** at the World Bank's Development Research Group since 1998. At HKS, he has taught part-time since 2001, focusing on courses like *Social Institutions and Economic Development*. He holds a PhD in Comparative-Historical Sociology from Brown University. His research emphasizes strategies for enhancing state capability, social institutions in development, and evaluating complex interventions. He has held visiting roles at the University of Cambridge (2002) and founded the Brooks World Poverty Institute at the University of Manchester (2006–2009).

**Research & Awards**: Woolcock’s work includes over 100 journal articles, 13 books (e.g., *Building State Capability*), and co-editing volumes on case studies and multilateralism. His 2011 book *Contesting Development* won the 2012 ASA Best Book Prize. Current projects address public sector reforms in Cambodia/Papua New Guinea, gender strategy, and social sustainability.

**Key Contributions**: His research bridges theory/practice in development, emphasizing social sustainability’s four pillars—cohesion, inclusion, resilience, and legitimacy. He collaborates with global institutions like the Global Environmental Facility and contributes to World Bank reports, including the *Poverty and Shared Prosperity Report 2020*.