SEI US announces Ed Carr as new centre director

SEI is delighted to welcome Prof. Ed Carr as the new director of its US centre, effective 4 March 2024. Prof. Carr arrives at SEI from Clark University, where he has cultivated a deep expertise in sustainable development and environmental policy, alongside a notable history of academic and administrative leadership.

His career, spanning two decades, is marked by a commitment to linking academic research on development and global change with practical applications in policy, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and learning. Carr’s interdisciplinary approach is underpinned by his attainment of two separate PhDs, one in Geography and the other in Anthropology.

During his tenure at Clark University, Carr distinguished himself through leadership roles, including Director of the International Development, Community, and Environment Department. His expertise is further validated by his contributions to significant global environmental assessments and policy frameworks, such as his work with the Global Environment Facility’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel, his role as a lead author of the 6th IPCC Working Group 2 report, and his current position as a coordinating lead author for the IPBES Transformative Change Assessment.

The appointment follows a comprehensive search process facilitated by an external agency under the guidance of a committee composed of SEI board and staff members. This process underscored the attractiveness of the position, drawing a robust and diverse candidate pool and culminating in Carr’s selection at the SEI US Board’s November meeting.

Prof. Carr’s outline of a new research agenda during the selection process resonated strongly with global SEI priorities on adaptation, livelihoods and development. His agenda centres on two critical areas: firstly, identifying and addressing systemic vulnerabilities that affect primary producer systems; and secondly, advancing understanding and measurement of the adaptation benefits derived from various programs and policies. The appointment also promises enhanced collaborative opportunities across SEI centres and new avenues for fundraising and development initiatives.

As Prof. Carr prepares to assume leadership, a transition committee is in place to ensure a smooth handover from Michael Lazarus, who will continue his association with SEI US as a Senior Scientist. This transition is designed to maintain continuity in the centre’s work while leveraging Carr’s insights and expertise for future initiatives.

Upon his appointment, Prof. Carr shared his motivations for joining SEI, emphasizing the urgency of environmental challenges and the role of research in addressing them: “Since the IPCC AR6 concluded, I have found myself increasingly motivated by a visceral sense of the urgency of the challenges we face, the need for change, and the vital role of information in shaping new decisions and directions. SEI, with its focus on addressing these challenges through impactful research, aligns perfectly with my motivations. I’m looking forward to collaborating with colleagues to build upon and broaden the outstanding work of the US Centre and SEI at large. I’m grateful to the SEI US board for this opportunity and to my new SEI colleagues, both at the US Centre and globally, for their warm welcome.”

The SEI community welcomes Prof. Carr with optimism for the innovative directions and collaborations his leadership is anticipated to bring. His appointment is a strategic step in advancing SEI’s mission and enhancing its contribution to global environmental and development challenges.