Rachel Bezner Kerr

Rachel Bezner Kerr is a Professor in the Department of Global Development at Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She serves as Director of Graduate Studies for the Graduate Field of Development Studies and Director of the Institute for African Development at Global Cornell. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications for sustainable development, particularly in African contexts.

Education:

• Doctorate in Development Sociology, Cornell University, 2006
• Master of Science in Land Resources Sciences, University of Guelph, 1998
• Bachelor of Science in Cooperative International Development, University of Toronto, 1996

Dr. Bezner Kerr's research takes a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to food systems, drawing from both natural and social sciences. Her work focuses on sustainable agriculture, food security, nutrition, and climate change adaptation in rural Africa, with particular attention to gender dynamics and social equity. She employs participatory research methods that involve local communities in designing and implementing studies, ensuring that research directly addresses community needs while generating academic knowledge. Her long-term collaborative research in Malawi and Tanzania has demonstrated evidence-based improvements in nutrition, food security, and soil management through agroecological practices.

Analysis of Dr. Bezner Kerr's recent publications reveals strong thematic continuity in her research focus on agroecology, food sovereignty, and climate resilience in African contexts. Her work consistently examines the intersection of environmental sustainability, social justice, and food security, with increasing attention to gender-transformative approaches and participatory methodologies. The publications span multiple disciplines including agricultural science, environmental studies, public health, and political ecology, reflecting her commitment to transdisciplinary research that addresses complex food system challenges.

Notable Awards and Honors:

• Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity (awarded to IPCC), 2022
• Outstanding Achievements in Science and Policy Award, Cornell University, 2022
• Coordinating Lead Author for IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (2019-2022)
• Early Achievement Award, Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2016
• Canadian Association of Geographers' Julian M. Szeicz Award for Early Career Achievement, 2012

Dr. Bezner Kerr has secured significant research funding from organizations including the McKnight Foundation, European Commission, Fulbright Africa Regional Research Award, and NSF. She serves as Principal or Co-Principal Investigator on multiple international collaborative projects focused on agroecology, climate resilience, and food sovereignty in Africa. Her extension work prioritizes sharing research findings with affected communities, policymakers, and the public, with annual visits to Malawi to conduct workshops with smallholder farmers and civil society groups. She leads the Bezner Kerr Lab, a transdisciplinary research group focused on critical social science related to agroecology, agrobiodiversity, and climate change adaptation.