Dr. John Gaventa
Director, Coady International Institute and VP of International Development, StFX

John Gaventa is a political sociologist, educator and civil society practitioner with extensive experience of research, training and organizational leadership across the globe. As an academic researcher, he has worked extensively on areas of international development, citizen participation and action, participatory methods of research and learning; power and empowerment; participatory governance; global citizenship and social movements, and grassroots organization.

He has organized and led several large-scale international research programs and action learning networks, including the Development Research Centre on Citizenship, Participation and Accountability, and LogoLink.

He has also served as a leader of civil society organizations, including director of the Highlander Center in the United States, and chair of Oxfam Great Britain. He has a particular interest in linking research and education to development practice and social change.  A former Rhodes Scholar and MacArthur Prize Fellow, he was most recently a Professor in the Participation, Power and Social Change team at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex. 

Dr. Gaventa holds a PhD in Politics, Oxford University (Nuffield College), 1975 and B.A. from Vanderbilt University, Politics, Sociology and Philosophy (Magna cum laude; Phi Beta Kappa), 1971.