The Feinstein International Center and the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy are thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Paul Howe as the Director of the Feinstein International Center. Paul will assume the leadership of the Center on September 1, 2021.

“As an accomplished practitioner, leader, and scholar, Paul will bring a wealth of experience, connections, and new ideas that will substantially strengthen the Center’s ability to promote the use of evidence and learning in operational and policy responses to protect and strengthen the lives, livelihoods, and dignity of people affected by or at risk of crises. I’m looking forward to watching the Center grow and evolve under Paul’s leadership,” noted Greg Gottlieb, the outgoing Director of the Center.

Paul has a deep knowledge of the humanitarian world, having served with the World Food Programme (WFP) for more than 17 years. Most recently, Paul was the WFP Country Director in Nigeria, and prior to that, acting Country Director and Deputy Country Director in Afghanistan as well as the Chief of WFP’s Emergencies and Transitions Unit. Even while serving as a senior leader in WFP, Paul kept up his research and publication activities, including two influential articles published in World Development: “Famine systems: A new model for understanding the development of famines” and  “The triple nexus: A potential approach to supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals?” Paul holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University, a master’s degree from Princeton University, and a doctoral degree from the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex.

Paul recently shared, “I am excited to join the Feinstein International Center at this critical time when the world has committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but faces a range of humanitarian crises that are impeding efforts to attain them. I look forward to working with the wonderful Feinstein team to continue to produce innovative research, offer engaging teaching, and provide practical policy advice that will support the broader efforts to achieve the SDGs and make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable people.”

The Feinstein International Center is grateful to Greg Gottlieb for his dedication and service to the Center during his tenure as the Director. “Greg’s four years at the Center was the culmination of a distinguished career dedicated to improving many aspects of humanitarian action. The Center and the humanitarian sector will miss him when he retires. At the same time, we are looking forward to contributing to navigating the new and growing challenges in the humanitarian sector with Paul,” said Dyan Mazurana, Research Director and Professor at the Feinstein International Center.