Lesley Macheka (Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST))
(no profile image)
Interests: My interest in joining the Development Studies Association is rooted in my interdisciplinary work at the intersection of food systems, climate change, nutrition, and rural livelihoods in Southern Africa, with a strong empirical focus on Zimbabwe. My research critically examines how structural inequalities, environmental shocks, and institutional governance frameworks shape food and nutrition security outcomes in both rural and urban communities.
I am particularly interested in contributing to and learning from DSA networks that engage with sustainable food systems, climate resilience, and inclusive development pathways. My current work spans large-scale national assessments, including the Zimbabwe Rural Livelihoods Assessment (ZimLAC), as well as community-based research on climate–health interactions, indigenous knowledge systems, and postharvest innovations aimed at reducing losses and improving value addition. Through my work, I engage closely with government, development partners, and local communities to generate policy-relevant evidence that informs national development strategies (e.g., NDS1) and global frameworks such as the SDGs. I am particularly interested in the political economy of development, including issues of knowledge systems, equity, and the governance of natural and biological resources, as reflected in my recent work on indigenous knowledge and biopiracy.
Joining the DSA provides an important platform to:
Engage in global scholarly dialogue on development challenges and solutions
Contribute African perspectives to debates on climate change, food systems, and development policy
Build collaborative partnerships for multi-country and interdisciplinary research
Participate in conferences and thematic groups aligned with my research focus
I am especially keen to contribute to DSA’s mission of advancing inclusive, evidence-based development by bringing regionally grounded insights from Zimbabwe and Southern Africa into broader global discussions.
Regional Focus: Southern Africa
JobTitle: Executive Director
Department: Innovation, Industrialisation, and Enterprise Development
Country: Zimbabwe
Bio:
no document