Washington, D.C.- July 3, 2014— Dr. Karen Mundy, a globally recognized leader and specialist in basic education, has been appointed Chief Technical Officer at the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).
Dr. Mundy comes to GPE from the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), where she has served as the Associate Dean of Research, International and Innovation, and a professor in the Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education. Dr. Mundy also held a Canada research chair from 2002 to 2013.
“I am delighted that Karen Mundy has accepted to play such a key leadership role for GPE,” said Alice Albright, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Partnership for Education. “I am impressed by the depth and breadth of her experience and expertise in the sector and her ambition for real progress on global education’s major challenges. With Karen on board, GPE will be well positioned to face the education challenges for the post-2015 development agenda,” added Albright.
Dr. Mundy began her professional career as a teacher in rural Zimbabwe, and became an assistant professor, international and comparative education at Stanford University prior to joining OISE. Her published research has focused on the global politics of “education for all” programs and policies; educational policy and reform in Sub-Saharan Africa; and the role of civil society organizations in educational change. She has published four books and more than 50 articles and book chapters, including most recently an edited volume entitled “Public Private Partnerships in Education: New Actors and Modes of Governance in a Globalizing World.” Dr. Mundy was also the founder and past Co-Chair of the Canadian Global Campaign for Education, an organization that brought together NGOs, teachers’ unions, and university partners committed to advancing education for all. She is currently the President of the Comparative and International Education Society.
“The GPE is uniquely positioned to play a catalytic role in expanding access to the very best learning opportunities for all children, by supporting smarter national policies and more coordinated and research-based action from the global community,” said Dr. Mundy. “As CTO, I look forward to fostering the creativity and collaboration that are needed if we want to improve education for children in some of the world's most difficult circumstances. It’s a remarkable honor. I can't wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work”, she added.
Committed to playing an active role in policy dialogue about education and international development, Dr. Mundy has authored and contributed to policy papers and evaluation reports for many of the international organizations and development partners who belong to the Global Partnership including, among others, the World Bank, USAID, the Hewlett Foundation, the Open Society Foundation, the International Development Research Centre, CIDA (now DFATD), UK DFID and UNICEF. She also served as the acting chair of the GPE independent evaluation committee in 2013.
As Chief Technical Officer in the GPE Secretariat based in Washington, D.C., Dr. Mundy will play an instrumental role in the development of GPE’s 2016-2020 strategy and addressing current major challenges in education such as expanding access and equity to education, learning outcomes and evidence-based decision-making. She will also be the main driver of GPE’s innovation agenda in terms of improved ways to finance, manage, and deliver education to the children who are hardest to reach.
Dr. Mundy holds a Master’s in Adult Education and a Doctorate in Sociology of Education. Her appointment will be effective on October 1st, 2014.