Pål Vedeld

Pål Vedeld is a Professor at the Institute for International Environment and Development Studies (Noragric), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). He is an institutional economist specializing in agriculture, natural resource management, and development studies. He holds a PhD and a master’s degree in natural resource and development economics from NMBU. His work spans multiple continents, with extensive research in Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, India, and Vietnam. He has held visiting positions at King's College London, the University of Dar es Salaam, Ohio University, and UC Davis.

His primary research interests include governance and policy analysis, biodiversity and climate change, livelihood and poverty studies, and interdisciplinary approaches to environmental and development issues. He has published widely on topics such as REDD+, protected area governance, forest economics, environmental income, and rural livelihoods in the Global South.

The recent publications highlight a strong thematic consistency in his work, focusing on political economy, institutional analysis, and the socio-ecological dimensions of conservation and climate policy. His articles frequently examine the tensions between policy rhetoric and local realities, especially in African protected areas and forest governance regimes. Keywords across these works include REDD+, livelihoods, governance, climate change, and institutional sustainability, with sub-fields such as participatory governance, forest policy, and climate-smart agriculture.

He teaches courses in international environmental studies, sustainability science, environmental politics, and development studies at NMBU. His academic contributions are deeply interdisciplinary, bridging economics, ecology, and social sciences to address complex development challenges.

Vedeld has also contributed to major policy reports and collaborative research initiatives, including work with the World Bank and assessment of Norwegian development cooperation. His career combines academic rigor with practical engagement in policy and field-level development work.