Clemens is an economist specializing in development strategy analysis and impact assessment. His current research focuses on designing food security strategies, managing resource booms and prioritizing rural investments using economy-wide models and other tools. Before joining IFPRI in 2006, Clemens worked as research associate at the Department of Rural Development Theory and Policy, Hohenheim University, Germany and for the Scientific Advisory Board of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).