We confront the most urgent and complex challenges facing people and the planet.
By uniting critical scholarship and practice at the intersections of agricultural, environmental, life, and social sciences, we advance a more equitable, sustainable, and food-secure world for all. Side-by-side with our diverse network of global and community partners, we engage in education with impact and create a flourishing world now and for future generations.
With a focus on education with impact, our transdisciplinary approach emphasizes real-world engagement on a global scale — with communities in New York State, across the United States, and around the world. Our dynamic learning atmosphere and academic culture goes beyond purely technical work to provide a balance of skill-building and analytical coursework toward transformative solutions.
Catalyzing change to build a more just world.
Students in Global Development engage with life-changing research and social impact through our two majors, four minors, innovative graduate programs, impact-driven professional development and projects spanning 30+ countries.

60+
Faculty and academic staff
200+
Undergraduate students
70+
Graduate students
New undergraduate major in Global Development
Engage in critical scholarship and global field training while exploring some of the most urgent challenges facing people and the planet

A multidisciplinary approach
The world is complex. But we believe understanding is possible.
Our signature strengths
We take an integrated and holistic approach to development. With a mission to advance a more equitable, sustainable, and food-secure world for all, we engage at the intersections of development to create a flourishing world now and for future generations.

Wellbeing and inclusion
“A World that Leaves No One Behind”
Studying the causes, manifestations and consequences of poverty and inequality in the global political economy, the histories and legacies of development projects, and alternative models to promote wellbeing
Environmental sustainability
“A Greener World and Greener Economies”
Addressing strategies to mitigate or reverse the effects of climate change, helping people and communities adapt to new environmental realities, and researching the social and political dimensions of human-environment interactions
Food and nutritional security
“Sustainable and Sustaining Food Systems”
Identifying pathways to sustainable food systems while investigating the social and political dynamics of these systems across the cycle from cultivation to distribution, consumption, and recycling
Confronting global challenges
We collaborate with partners in New York state and around the globe to make a difference. Explore some of our recent research, initiatives and student experiences:






Confronting global challenges
We collaborate with partners in New York state and around the globe to make a difference. Explore some of our recent research, initiatives and student experiences:








On the international stage
A home of global thought leaders.
We work to build an equitable, environmentally sustainable world through boots-on-the-ground practice, cutting edge research, innovative teaching and community-based extension.


We seek to understand before we seek to be understood. Our experts and students collaborate directly with individuals and communities to learn and develop new insights, policies and practices that make a direct impact.
Students in Global Development are encouraged to pursue hands-on learning opportunities right here in local communities and across the globe, such as the international agriculture and rural development learning experience in India.
54+
Visiting scientists & fellows
from over 20 countries
Land acknowledgement
Cornell University is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' (the Cayuga Nation). The Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' are members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign Nations with a historic and contemporary presence on this land. The Confederacy precedes the establishment of Cornell University, New York State and the United States of America.
We acknowledge the painful history of Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' dispossession, and honor the ongoing connection of Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' people, past and present, to these lands and waters.
Making a sustainable impact
Recent insights, news and events in the Department of Global Development

News
A partnership from the Innovation Lab for Crop Improvement seeks to improve sorghum breeding in Senegal and Costa Rica.
- Department of Global Development
- School of Integrative Plant Science
- Plant Breeding and Genetics Section

News
- Department of Global Development
- School of Integrative Plant Science
- Plant Biology Section

Field Note
- Department of Global Development
- Global Development
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