Dr. Wendy Wolford

Biography

Wendy Wolford is the Robert Ruth E. Polson Professor in the Department of Global Development at Cornell University, as well as the Vice Provost for International Affairs. Her academic work revolves around land distribution, governance, and social movements in Latin America, particularly Brazil. With over fifteen years of experience, she collaborates closely with grassroots movements, notably the Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (MST). Her scholarly contributions include several books, such as "Land and the Brazilian Social Movement" and the forthcoming "Social Lives of Land," which she co-edited. Her research interests encompass the political economies of development, agrarian societies, and land reform. Wolford has received prestigious fellowships including a Fulbright Research Scholar award and support from organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the Mellon Foundation. In her role as Vice Provost, she enhances global connections through interdisciplinary initiatives. Wolford emphasizes the importance of integrating research with teaching, guiding both undergraduate and graduate students in critically analyzing socio-political issues related to development theory and political ecology.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards