David Spielman studies how the economics of food production shape public health. Spielman specifically examines how agricultural policy, markets and food systems determine what food is grown, how it reaches consumers and, ultimately, how those decisions affect nutrition and health.
Before joining WashU in 2026, Spielman spent more than two decades with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), where he most recently served as director of Innovation Policy and Scaling. He has worked and lived in Rwanda, Ethiopia and Pakistan and advised governments across Africa and Asia on agricultural innovation, food policy and rural development. His research covers topics related to agricultural science, technology and innovation; climate change and climate adaptation; and the role of public policies and programs in making healthy foods more accessible, available and affordable.