Institute of Development Studies

Biography

Spencer Henson is an applied economist whose interests are centred on the economics and political economy of agri-food standards. He has undertaken research across 40 countries and worked with a wide range of standards and development institutions and organisations. He is recognised as an expert internationally on agri-food standards and developing countries, as well as on the economics of regulation and standards in the area of food and agriculture more generally.

Selected Projects and Recent Work

• UK Public Opinion Monitor
• Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) Review
• Analysing the Effects from Non Tariff Measures (NTM) in the Global Agri-Food Trade
• Partnering for Better Food

Selected Publications »»

• Henson, S. and Humphrey, J. (2011) 'Codex Alimentarius and Private Standards' in van der Meulen, B.M.J. (eds), Private Food Law: Governing Food Chains Through Contract Law, Self-regulation, Private Standards, Audits and Certification Schemes, Wageningen: Wageningen Academic Publishers
• Lindstrom, J. and Henson, S. (2011) 'What Does the Public Think, Know and Do about Aid and Development?' , Brighton: IDS
• Henson, S. and Lindstrom, J. (2011) ''A Mile Wide and an Inch Deep'? Understanding Support for Aid', Draft IDS Working Paper , Brighton: IDS
• Jaffee, S., Henson, S. and Diaz Rios, L. (2011) 'Making the Grade: Smallholder Farmers, Emerging Standards, and Development Assistance Programs in Africa (A Research Program Synthesis)' Report Number 62324-AFR, Washington: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank
• Henson, S., Masakure, O. and Cranfield, J. (2011) 'Do Fresh Produce Exporters in sub-Saharan Africa Benefit from GlobalGAP Certification?', World Development 39.3:375-86
• Henson, S. and Humphrey, J. (2010) 'Understanding the Complexities of Private Standards in Global Agri-Food Chains as They Impact Developing Countries', Journal of Development Studies 46.9:1628-46
• Henson, S. and Lindstrom, J. (2010) 'Aid to Developing Countries: Where does the UK Public Stand?' , Brighton: IDS
• Blandon, J., Henson, S. and Islam, T. (2010) 'The Importance of Assessing Marketing Preferences of Small-scale Farmers: A Latent Segment Approach', European Journal of Development Studies 22.4:494-509
• Henson, S., Lindstrom, J. and Haddad, L. with Mulmi, R. (2010) 'Public Perceptions of International Development and Support for Aid in the UK: Results of a Qualitative Enquiry' , Brighton: IDS
• Henson, S. and Lindstrom, J. (2009) 'Making the Case for Aid: The Challenge of UK Public Perceptions', IDS In Focus Policy Briefings 12, Brighton: IDS
• Blandon, J., Henson, S., and Cranfield, J. (2009) 'Small-scale Farmer Participation in New Agri-Food Supply Chains', Journal of International Development 21.7:971-84
• Henson, S. and Humphrey, J. (2009) 'The Impacts of Private Food Safety Standards on the Food Chain and on Public Standard-Setting Processes' , Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme, Codex Alimentarius Commission, ALINORM 09/32/9D-Part II
• Blandon, J., Henson, S. and Towhidul, I. (2009) 'Marketing Preferences of Small-Scale Farmers in the Context of New Agrifood Systems: A Stated Choice Model', Agribusiness: An International Journal 25.2:251-67
• Masakure, O., Cranfield, J. and Henson, S. (2008) 'The Financial Performance of Non-Farm Micro-Enterprises in Ghana. Analysis of the 1998/1999 Ghanaian Living Standards Survey', World Development 36.12:2733-62
• Henson, S. and Jaffee, S. (2008) 'Understanding Developing Country Strategic Responses to the Enhancement of Food Safety Standards', The World Economy 31.1:1-15