Ottar Mæstad receives Årets stemme (Voice of the Year) award

CMI Research Professor Ottar Mæstad has received the Årets stemme (Voice of the Year) award from the Strømme Foundation. The award recognises individuals who contribute to a more informed and evidence-based public debate on poverty, development and international aid.

According to the jury, Mæstad has, over many years, helped bridge research, practice and policy through his work on poverty, aid and development. They point to his commitment to learning, evidence and constructive public debate, as well as his ability to make complex development issues accessible to policymakers, practitioners and the wider public.

Mæstad has played a central role in strengthening the evidence base for Norwegian development cooperation. He initiated and leads the Development Learning Lab (DLL), which promotes rigorous research on the effects of Norwegian aid and strengthens learning across the development sector. He has also been instrumental in establishing the Knowledge Centre for Development, which aims to improve the use of evidence and knowledge in development policy and practice.

The award was announced during FATTIGDOMSBEKJEMPER!, a seminar organised by the Strømme Foundation as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations. The event brought together researchers, practitioners and policymakers to discuss effective approaches to poverty reduction and sustainable development.

Read more about the seminar and award launch (in Norwegian).