Faculty

Mary Jo Larson

Mary Jo Larson is an interdisciplinary educator and program developer specializing in multilateral approaches to complex ecological conflicts. She provides consulting services to non-government, multilateral, and public sector organizations. Dr. Larson has served as associate professor of conflict management and environmental security at the University for Peace (established by the United Nations) in Costa Rica, and as an adjunct faculty at The American University and Sabanci University in Istanbul. As a program developer, her background includes the integrated development of conservation programs in Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Central and South America, the Pacific Islands and the Middle East, including Afghanistan and the West Bank. Dr. Larson co-evaluated the UNEP’s global project, Assessment, Impact and Adaptation to Climate Change (AIACC). She served as principal facilitator for a Dutch-funded international conference, “Climate Change and Vulnerability” held at the Peace Palace of The Hague. She is senior advisor on learning and board leadership for the Global Corporate Governance Forum of IFC/World Bank.

Dr. Larson began her career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Venezuela and returned to Peace Corps under the UNESCO Man of the Biosphere program. She was the director of a Gates Foundation global women’s leadership program and chief of programming and training for the Asia Pacific Region of the Peace Corps. Her research and publications focus on multilateral negotiations, global climate change, leadership, peace building and multi-stakeholder program development.

Dr. Larson holds a Ph.D. in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University. She is a Senior Fellow with the University for Peace, established by the United Nations.