Elke Jahns-Harms

Elke Jahns-Harms, Lecturer in Human Security, has worked in Central and South America, East Africa, and Antarctica, on projects related to financial inclusion, sustainable agriculture, climate change, HIV/AIDS, women's rights, and environmental education. She is the Fletcher Faculty Director for the certificate programs in digital money offered in partnership with the Digital Frontiers Institute, and a Senior Fellow on Fletcher's Council of Emerging Market Enterprises. Previously, she worked with Catholic Relief Services, the Peace Corps, and WorldTeach. Her research examines the role of savings groups in helping poor rural households cope with shocks, and the impact of climate change on those households. A lifelong musician, she is also interested how the arts can promote social justice, development and peacebuilding. She teaches Development Aid in Policy and Practice at Fletcher, a number of courses at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Tufts University, and recently taught Music and Social Change at the New England Conservatory in Boston. She holds a PhD in International Relations from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, a Master of Public Affairs, a Master of Music, and a BA in Geology and Environmental Science.