Abstract

A talk and Q&A with Dr Camilla Toulmin. Dr Toulmin is Director of the International Institute for Environment and Development based in London. (IIED). An economist by training, she has worked mainly in Africa on agriculture, land, climate and livelihoods. This has combined field research, policy analysis and advocacy. Her work has aimed at understanding how environmental, economic and political change impact on people’s lives, and how policy reform can bring real change on the ground. This has combined field research, policy analysis, capacity building and advocacy. It has involved engaging with people at many different levels from farmers and researchers, to national governments, NGOs, donor agencies and international bodies.

As Director of IIED since 2004, Camilla has focused on developing the institute’s strategy and communications. The institute has grown under her leadership from £5m turnover per year in 2005 to more than £12m in 2008-09. IIED ’s new strategy 2009-14 focuses on four principal goals that bring together the diverse areas of work on climate change, human settlements, natural resources, sustainable markets, and governance.

Camilla studied Economics at Cambridge and London, before gaining her doctorate in Economics at Oxford. Camilla is fluent in English and French. She is trustee of ICARDA (Syria) and has been a member of several boards. Her latest book is Climate change in Africa (Zed Books, 2009).