Cornelia Hett

I am a geographer and science–policy–practice specialist working as a Programme Manager at the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). At SNSF, I co‑lead major funding instruments, including the Solution‑oriented Research for Development (SOR4D) programme and a National Research Programme, supporting interdisciplinary research addressing societal and global challenges.
I hold a PhD in Geography from the University of Bern and have more than 20 years of experience in sustainability research and international development. My expertise focuses on land‑use change, agrarian transitions, and sustainable landscape governance, with a strong regional emphasis on Southeast Asia, particularly the Mekong region.
Before joining SNSF, I held senior leadership positions at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), including as Deputy Head of the Section Health and Food Systems and as Thematic Programme Officer for Climate, Environment and Land Governance. In these roles, I led multi‑country initiatives on sustainable food systems, land and forest governance, climate resilience, and multilateral engagement, notably Switzerland’s cooperation with IFAD. Earlier in my career, I worked at the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), including as Co‑Director of its Southeast Asia office in Laos.
I have authored over 60 scientific and policy‑relevant publications and regularly contribute to graduate and doctoral teaching on agroecology, sustainability governance, and transdisciplinary research.