Heather van Buskirk

Heather leads 3ie’s Training Initiative and coordinates our evidence capacity development services. She contributes research and project management support to evaluation and evidence synthesis projects. She co-produced 3ie’s systematic map on WaSH outcomes, the Human Rights EGM, a curriculum on impact evaluation methods, and a forthcoming nutrition financing evaluation. She supports business development and external engagement, and the West Africa Capacity-building and Impact Evaluation (WACIE) program.

Heather’s professional experience bridges the development practice and research communities and spans a broad range of sectors. Prior to joining 3ie, she spent five years managing community development projects in Southern Africa. She has served as an East Asian studies fellow at the University of California Davis, a program analyst for the State of California, and an independent evaluation consultant. Much of her work focuses on poverty, livelihoods, resilience, and well-being in the African context.

Heather holds an MSc in Impact Evaluation for International Development from the University of East Anglia and a BA in Sociology with an emphasis in comparative studies and world development from the University of California Davis.