Ph.D. in Development Studies

Timothy Ravis explores how technological change affects the relationships between state, society, and nature, through the specific history and geography of Indonesia. Drawing on novel approaches in political ecology and geography, his research looks to analyze the social forces and structures which hinder the large-scale development of renewable energy sources, such as geothermal, in Indonesia. He is the inaugural recipient of the Cornell RANA Prize, which recognizes Global Development graduate students pursuing innovative thinking in their studies and careers.

Emily Hillenbrand examines processes and implications of gender-transformative approaches and shifting masculinities in agriculture development programming. Her research is conducted in partnership with Soils, Food, and Healthy Communities (SFHC) in Malawi, a farmer-led non-profit organization that addresses the challenges of soil infertility, climate change, food insecurity, and gender inequality.

Camillo Stubenberg examines the rushed adoption of off-grid and renewable energy technologies after the interlocking political and financial crisis that led to a total breakdown of the Lebanon’s electricity sector. By shedding light on the ongoing dynamics in Lebanon, this research provides insights both for the design of renewable energy systems as well as policies aimed at fostering energy transitions across the globe.

Emily Baker studies smallholder farmers’ cultivation and understanding of agricultural biodiversity in the Rwenzori Mountains of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and western Uganda. She seeks to understand the ways that intersectional and intergenerational agrobiodiversity knowledge and agency are linked with macro drivers of social and environmental change, and how they can inform policy approaches and community decision-making for local conservation, food security, and equitable approaches to social and ecological resilience.