Irene Guijt

Irene Guijt is an experienced professional with over 25 years of expertise in learning processes and systems within rural development and natural resource management, focusing on collective action and social justice concerns.

Her background includes research, system design, facilitation, and advisory roles in knowledge processes that prioritize learning-oriented approaches.

Guijt has worked with various organizations and projects, including The MasterCard Foundation, GirlHub, IFAD, and the Overseas Development Institute, contributing to initiatives related to client voice integration, impact evaluation, libraries for democracy, and participatory assessment in different regions.

Her educational background features studies in land use engineering, communication studies, and a PhD in organizational learning and rural development from Wageningen University.

As former Head of Evidence and Strategic Learning at Oxfam Great Britain, Guijt oversaw research and publishing activities, emphasizing evaluative thinking, citizen engagement, and metrics for regenerative food systems.

She has also been involved in capacity-building efforts, such as with BetterEvaluation, focusing on impact evaluation examples and capacities, as well as in exploring the theory of change for transformational development with Hivos.

Guijt's core interests revolve around complex systemic change for social justice, evaluative thinking, citizen engagement, and regenerative food/fiber systems metrics, showcasing her multidimensional expertise and commitment to impactful development work.

Throughout her career, Guijt has held various roles across different organizations, demonstrating a breadth of experience in research, advisory, and collaborative settings, which collectively contribute to her wealth of knowledge and diverse skill set in the field of development.