Profile
Renata Serra (PhD Economics, Cambridge University, UK) is Instructional Professor in the Center for African Studies at the University of Florida. She is affiliated with the UF Center for Women’s Studies and Gender Research and the Department of Economics; and is core Faculty and graduate student coordinator for the UF Master in Sustainable Development Program. An economist by training, she has 25 years experience of research, teaching and consultancy on issues of African development, especially in the African Sahel region (see also UF Sahel Research Group). As Faculty in the Management Entity at the USAID Feed the Future Innovation lab for Livestock Systems at UF/IFAS, Dr. Serra leads the Enabling Environment cross-cutting theme.
Areas of Interest/Research
Political economy of agriculture; vulnerability and resilience to climate change; gender and intersectionality; women’s empowerment; livestock sector development; social capital and collective action; microfinance.
Recent research projects:
- 2022-25 Social and institutional determinants of vulnerability and resilience to climate hazards in the African Sahel. Funded by the US Department of Defense.
- 2020-25 Strengthening Evidence and Partnerships for Enabling Environments for Livestock Systems funded by USAID
- 2019-23 Advancing Women’s Participation in the Livestock Vaccine Value Chains in Nepal, Senegal and Uganda. Funded by IDRC, Canada, BMGF and Global Affairs Canada
Contact Information
Email: rserra@ufl.edu
Phone: (352) 846-0473
421 Grinter Hall
PO Box 115560
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611-5560