David Spielman is director of the Innovation Policy and Scaling Unit at the International Food Policy Research Institute in Washington, DC. His unit conducts research on science, technology, and innovation policies shaping the agri-food systems of low- and middle-income countries. Major programs in his unit focus on food staple biofortification, genetic resources policy, and “last mile” scaling strategies. David has been an IFPRI researcher since 2004. His research agenda covers a range of topics including agriculture and rural development policy; agricultural science, technology, and innovation; plant genetic resources and seed systems; agricultural extension and advisory services; and community-driven rural development. He was most recently based in Kigali, Rwanda where he led the Rwanda Strategy Support Program from 2020 to 2022. From 2016 to 2020, David managed IFPRI’s research theme on science, technology, and innovation policy from its headquarters in Washington, DC, and contributed to research projects in Asia and Africa. From 2004 to 2010, he was based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he was part of IFPRI’s work on strengthening agricultural innovation systems. Earlier in his career, David worked on agriculture and rural development issues for the World Bank (Washington, DC), the Aga Khan Development Network (Pakistan), and several other organizations. David received a PhD in Economics from American University in 2003, an MSc in Development Studies from the London School of Economics in 1993, and a BA in International Relations from Tufts University in 1992.