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Rachel Bezner Kerr is a Professor in the Global Development Section at Cornell University and the Director of Graduate Studies in the Graduate Field of Development Studies. Her background encompasses sociology, environmental science, and international development, with long-term research initiatives in Malawi and Tanzania, focusing on participatory methods to evaluate the impacts of agroecological approaches on livelihoods and nutrition. Over her career, she has published more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters across leading scientific journals, highlighting her contributions to the fields of global change biology, agricultural ecosystems, and public health nutrition. In her role as a Coordinating Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change from 2019 to 2022, she examined climate change adaptation in food systems. Her research interests include sustainable agriculture, food security, and the social relations linked to health and nutrition in rural Africa. Additionally, Rachel leads community-based research efforts, fostering collaborations with local organizations to develop sustainable food systems, drawing from natural and social sciences. She remains committed to engaged learning and actively mentors students, aiming to inspire critical thinking and a passion for addressing global challenges.
Department of Architecture