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 has worked with Catholic Relief Services, the Peace Corps, and WorldTeach, among other organizations.

She is the Fletcher Faculty Director of the online Certificate in Digital Money and Leading Digital Money Markets (offered in partnership with the Digital Frontiers Institute), and Senior Fellow on Fletcher’s Council of Emerging Market Enterprises. Her research examines the role of savings groups in helping poor rural households cope with shocks. A lifelong musician, she is also interested how the arts can promote social justice, development and peacebuilding. She holds a PhD from Fletcher, a Master of Public Affairs from Indiana University, a Master of Music from Appalachian State University, and a BA in Geology and Environmental Science from Rice University. Elke teaches Development Aid in Policy in Practice at Fletcher and Music and Social Change at the New England Conservatory.