Thomas Reardon

Thomas Reardon is a **University Distinguished Professor** in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics (AFRE) at Michigan State University (MSU), where he has been since 1992. He holds a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and additional degrees from Columbia University and the Université de Nice. A global leader in agricultural economics, he focuses on food systems transformation, including the 'supermarket revolution,' the 'Quiet Revolution' of midstream SMEs, and the role of e-commerce in agrifood value chains. His research spans Africa, Asia, and Latin America, with recent fieldwork in India, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

**Education**: Ph.D., UC Berkeley; M.I.A., Columbia University; Diplôme, Université de Nice; B.A., Claremont Men's College.

**Research Interests**: Reardon studies value chain dynamics, rural nonfarm employment, and the impact of technological innovations like e-commerce on food systems. He emphasizes the role of SMEs in midstream logistics, processing, and wholesale markets, coining terms like the 'Hidden Middle' to describe these critical sectors.

**Publications**: A prolific author with over 50,000 citations and an h-index of 103 (as of 2025), Reardon publishes in top journals such as *Science*, *Nature Food*, and *American Journal of Agricultural Economics*. Recent work addresses climate resilience, pandemic-driven pivoting in supply chains, and Africa’s rise in domestic food production.

**Awards**: Fellow of the AAEA, Honorary Lifetime Member of IAAE, and featured in outlets like *The New York Times* and *The Guardian*. His work on food systems resilience and policy has influenced global initiatives like the UN Food Systems Summit.

**Teaching & Mentorship**: Teaches courses on food systems and international markets at MSU, mentoring over 100 graduate students since 1992. Collaborates with institutions like IFPRI as a Non-Resident Senior Research Fellow.

**Global Impact**: Advises on policies for developing countries, addressing challenges like rural employment, food security, and the integration of smallholders into modern value chains.