Mary Ellsberg has been named director of the George Washington University’s Global Women’s Institute. In this role, Dr. Ellsberg will lead the institute in its mission of enhancing the lives of women and girls by assessing and responding to challenges that this population faces. She brings more than 30 years of experience in international gender and development research and program work. Dr. Ellsberg will join the university on Aug. 1, and the center will launch in the fall.
“Mary has demonstrated how research can be employed to advance women’s rights and well-being, and I am confident that she will ensure that the work of our students and scholars has an impact in ensuring equality,” said GW Provost Steven Lerman.
The goal of the institute is to enhance the roles of women and girls worldwide through research, teaching and engaged service in the areas of health, education, rights and security. The idea for the institute originated in 2009, when GW President Steven Knapp proposed that the university investigate the possibility of launching an institute that would coordinate all university activities focused on women’s issues. A university-wide task force spent several months investigating the idea, and in 2011, a search committee was formed to conduct an international search for the institute’s first director.
Dr. Ellsberg will head the institute’s efforts in facilitating research collaborations and curriculum development and in developing financial support through grants and donations. Through cross-collaboration within the university and through external partnerships, she will work to increase the visibility of the institute.
“I am delighted to be joining George Washington University,” said Dr. Ellsberg. “GW has such an impressive track record of research, education and policy engagement, as well as distinguished and deeply committed faculty to global women’s issues. I am honored to have the opportunity to contribute to shaping the agenda of the new Global Women's Institute.”
Dr. Ellsberg currently serves as vice president for research and programs at the International Center for Research on Women. Previously, she held the position of senior advisor for gender, violence and human rights at the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health. Prior to that, Dr. Ellsberg lived in Nicaragua for nearly 20 years and worked on public health and women’s rights advocacy.