Eleanor Fisher, Professor of International Development at the University of Reading, UK, has been appointed the new Head of Research at the Nordic Africa Institute.

Eleanor Fisher is a social anthropologist, and has led multi- inter- and trans-disciplinary research teams for the last 20 years.

She has also acted as consultant and policy advisor to development donors, African governments and non-governmental organisations.

“I look forward to joining the team at the Nordic Africa Institute, and will work to uphold the excellent level of social science research conducted at the Institute. I believe research must be a tool for positive change, and I relish the opportunity to help develop the institute’s policy advice on contemporary African issues”, says Eleanor Fisher.

Professor Fisher is currently a Visiting Professor at Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Uganda.

”I am very happy that Eleanor Fisher will be joining us as Head of Research”, says NAI Director Therese Sjömander Magnusson.

“Her long and impressive academic career, along with her extensive experience of bridging science and policy, both at local and global level, will further strengthen our contribution to understanding current and future societal challenges on the African continent and to how the Nordic leadership can support positive change”, Sjömander Magnusson adds.

Eleanor Fisher will take up her new position on 1 September.