Ruth Meinzen-Dick has over 25 years’ experience in transdisciplinary research. One of her major research areas deals with how institutions and policies affect the way people manage natural resources, especially land and water. She also studies gender issues in agriculture, with a particular focus on gender differences in control over assets, and the impact of agricultural research on poverty.  She is the author of over 150 peer-reviewed publications based on this research. In addition to leading numerous large research programs, she is Coordinator of the CGIAR program on Collective Action and Property Rights (CAPRi), and co-leader of IFPRI’s research theme on Strengthening Institutions and Governance.  Much of her research has been in South Asia and Africa south of the Sahara.

A citizen of the United States, Meinzen-Dick was raised in India. She received her PhD and MSc degrees in development sociology from Cornell University and her bachelor's degree in anthropology from Washington University.

Languages spoken: English, German, Tamil