Sakiko Fukuda-Parr

Sakiko Fukuda-Parr is a Professor of International Affairs at The New School, specializing in human rights and development, global health, and decolonizing international affairs. She serves as President of the International Association for Feminist Economics (IAFFE) and Co-Director of the Collective on the Political Determinants of Health at the University of Oslo. She was appointed to the UN Secretary-General’s Committee on Development Policy (2013-2024). Her work bridges academic research and policy advocacy, particularly in the areas of human rights, sustainable development goals (SDGs), and equity.

Education:

• MA from the University of Sussex
• MALD from The Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy
• BA (Hons) from Cambridge University

Research Interests: Dr. Fukuda-Parr’s research focuses on the intersection of human rights frameworks and development policy, including the political dimensions of global health equity, the role of knowledge in shaping international agendas, and the decolonization of international affairs. Her influential book Fulfilling Social and Economic Rights (2015) won major awards for its analysis of state obligations under human rights law.

Recent Contributions: She has authored over 150 publications, including articles on SDG implementation challenges, pandemic preparedness metrics, and the political origins of health inequities. Her work critiques systemic barriers to equity in global development strategies and emphasizes Southern-led approaches to sustainable development.

Professional Roles: In addition to her academic roles, she contributes to UNDP Human Development Reports, serves on global health commissions, and advises policymakers on development goals and human rights compliance.

Future Work: Current courses focus on decolonizing international affairs, human rights in global fashion, and political economy of development. She is advancing research on macroeconomic policies for inclusive growth and gender equitable pandemic responses.