Dr. Francis Lethem

Biography

Francis J. Lethem is a Professor Practice Emeritus at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University and an affiliate of the Duke Center for International Development. With his expertise in institutional design and sustainable development, he has made significant contributions to developing sustainable management practices in conflict prevention and human resources development, especially in transitioning countries. Lethem received his Ph.D. from the University of Neuchatel, Switzerland, in 1967, and his B.A. from the University of Antwerp, Belgium, in 1961. Previously, he worked for 30 years in World Bank operations focusing on human resources development and institutional development. Lethem's tenure at Duke began in 1994, where he steered various programs, including the Eastern Africa project portfolio’s quality assurance. He has authored and co-authored several impactful publications and has served as a co-director emeritus of the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center, as well as a Paul Harris Fellow at the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. Lethem's teaching encompasses courses such as PUBPOL 789: Master of International Development Policy Mini-Seminars, emphasizing practical and theoretical aspects of international development.

Research Interests