Institute of Development Studies

Biography

Michael Loevinsohn, who joined IDS in October 2009, is an ecologist and epidemiologist. He has worked for many years at the interface between environment, rural society and health, seeking to throw light on the dynamics of systems undergoing rapid change.  Often this has involved making use of natural experiments. In each case, the work has suggested opportunities for multiple benefits from more equitable and durable environmental management. Current interests include:

• the "prevention dividend", the generally inadvertent contribution to disease avoidance and ecosystem service protection from efforts that have gone some way toward making food and livelihood more secure: demonstrating its reality, significance and potential in different contexts;
• assessing and contributing to spaces such as multi-stakeholder platforms that promote research, better informed policy and action and continued learning;
• assessing and joining efforts that stimulate local innovation and contribute to a rapid and equitable evolution in agriculture and natural resource management commensurate with the pace of environmental and social change.

Before joining IDS, Michael directed Applied Ecology Associates in the Netherlands. Earlier, he worked with the CGIAR, IDRC and FAO.

Thematic Expertise

Agriculture; Climate Change; Environment; Health; HIV / AIDS; Politics and Power; Science and Society; Social Policy; Social Protection.

Geographic Expertise

South East Asia; Sub Saharan Africa.

Selected Publications »»

• Loevinsohn, M. (2009) 'Seasonal Hunger, the 2001-03 Famine and the Dynamics of HIV in Malawi', Paper presented at the Seasonality Revisited International Conference, Institute of Development Studies, UK, 8–10 July, 2009 , IDS
• Loevinsohn, M. (2008) 'Innovation in agriculture and NRM in communities confronting HIV/AIDS: a review of international experience', PROLINNOVA Working Paper 18
• Loevinsohn, M. (2006) 'AIDS and Watersheds: Understanding and Assessing Biostructural Interventions.', Washington DC:
• Loevinsohn, M., and Gillespie, S. (2003) 'HIV/AIDS, Food Security and Rural Livelihoods: Understanding and Responding', RENEWAL Working Paper no. 2 / IFPRI Discussion Paper no. 157
• Loevinsohn, M., Berdegué, J., and Guijt, I. (2002) 'Deepening the basis of rural resource management: learning processes and decision support', Agricultural Systems 1.73:3-22
• Loevinsohn, M (1994) 'Climatic warming and increased malaria incidence in Rwanda', Lancet 343:714-718
• Loevinsohn, M. (1987) 'Insecticide use and increased mortality in rural Central Luzon, Philippines', Lancet Jun 13:1359-1362