Mareike Schomerus, Ph.D.
About Mareike Schomerus, Ph.D.
Mareike Schomerus, Ph.D., serves as the Research Director of the Secure Livelihoods Research Programme at the Overseas Development Institute and as Vice President at the Busara Center for Behavioral Economics. With a strong academic background and extensive experience in managing international research programs, she focuses on the interplay of behavioral science and conflict studies.
Current Role at Busara Center for Behavioral Economics
Mareike Schomerus, Ph.D., serves as the Vice President at the Busara Center for Behavioral Economics in Nairobi, Kenya. She has held this position since 2020, contributing to the organization's focus on applying behavioral science to address economic challenges. Her role involves overseeing initiatives that leverage insights from behavioral economics to inform policy and program design.
Work at Overseas Development Institute
Schomerus has been a Research Director for the Secure Livelihoods Research Programme (SLRC) at the Overseas Development Institute since 2017. In this capacity, she manages research programs that involve multiple international stakeholders, particularly in challenging environments. Additionally, she has served as the Head of Programme for Politics and Governance at the same institute, focusing on the intersection of behavioral science and conflict studies.
Education and Expertise
Mareike Schomerus holds a Doctorate in Sociology from the London School of Economics (LSE). She also earned a Master of Science from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism and a Master's degree from the University of Bremen. Furthermore, she has studied at the Chartered Management Institute, enhancing her expertise in management and leadership within research contexts.
Research Focus and Engagement
Schomerus's research combines behavioral science with conflict studies, examining political contestation and strategies for violent conflict resolution. She engages with donors, policymakers, and the public to communicate research findings effectively. Her work emphasizes the unseen factors that influence behavior, including narratives and context-specific definitions of concepts such as collaboration and justice.