Rachel Slater
About Rachel Slater
Rachel Slater is the Head of the Social Protection Programme and Research Director at the Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium, with over two decades of experience in research and development focused on social protection and rural development. She has worked in various capacities in organizations such as AusAID, DFID, and the University of Manchester, and holds a BA in Geography from the University of Oxford and a PhD in Development Studies from The University of Manchester.
Current Role at ODI
Rachel Slater serves as the Head of the Social Protection Programme at the Overseas Development Institute (ODI). In this capacity, she leads initiatives aimed at enhancing social protection systems globally. Additionally, she holds the position of Research Director for the Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium, where she oversees research efforts focused on improving livelihoods in vulnerable communities.
Previous Experience in Social Protection
Rachel Slater has extensive experience in social protection, having worked as a Social Protection Advisor at AusAID for seven months in 2010. She also served as a Livelihoods Advisor at DFID for one year from 2004 to 2005. Her previous roles include positions at the Institute for Development Policy and Management at the University of Manchester and the University of Leeds, where she contributed to research on development policies and practices.
Education and Expertise
Rachel Slater studied Geography at the University of Oxford, earning a BA from 1991 to 1994. She furthered her education at The University of Manchester, where she obtained a PhD in Development Studies from 1994 to 1998. Her academic background supports her expertise in fragile and conflict-affected situations, particularly in regions across Africa and Asia.
Research and Development Focus
Since 1998, Rachel Slater has been involved in various research and development projects, focusing on social protection and rural development. Her work emphasizes food security and the improvement of livelihoods in vulnerable populations. She has contributed to numerous international development initiatives, reflecting her commitment to addressing the challenges faced by marginalized communities.
Career Timeline
Rachel Slater's career spans over two decades, with significant roles in academia and international development. She worked as a Research Associate at the Institute for Development Policy and Management from 1998 to 2000, followed by a position at the University of Leeds until 2002. She later held a Reader position in International Development from 2017 to 2018 before assuming her current roles at ODI in 2002.