Sara E.
Farley is the Chief Operating new Higher Education, Science,
Officer of the Global Knowledge
Initiative, a not for profit organization
launched from the US National
Academy of Sciences that brokers
partnerships between individuals and
institutions to solve global challenges
in science, technology and innovation
(www.globalknowledgeinitiative.
org). Sara has been commissioned
by national governments (Brazil,
Canada, Slovenia, and the UK),
and international development and
science-related affinity organizations,
such as the Rockefeller Foundation,
to lead thinking, develop networks,
and devise policies to strengthen
A Conversation with the Global Knowledge Initiative developing countries’ science and
technology capacity.
SARA E. FARLEY
Sara began her career as a
science, technology, and innovation
strategist at the World Bank. After
Chief Operating Officer co-authoring the World Bank’s new
Science and Technology Strategy for
with Christina Golubski Development with Chief Scientist,
Robert Watson in 2001, she helped
the institution design and launch
March 3 10:30am GLC Rm B open to the campus community
its first Africa-based science and
technology project (the 30$ million
Uganda Millennium Science
Initiative). More recently, the World
Bank relied on Sara in operations
SPIA
across Africa, Latin America, and
Eastern Europe. She has been an
advisor and senior consultant to the
SC
CHOOL
HOOL OF
O F PU
UBLICC & INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
BLIC African Development Bank, where
College of she helped to craft the institution’s
www.spia.vt.edu
w w w .ss p i a .vv t .e
edu Architecture and Urban Studies
Technology and TVET (Technical
and Vocational Education and
Training) Strategy. In 2007 and
2008, Sara worked with UNIDO to
establish its first-ever policy position
on innovation. Additionally, Sara
has worked as a consultant for
SRI International, UNCTAD, the
Rockefeller Foundation, and other
organizations to develop science,
technology, and innovation strategy
and policy and guide aid delivery
and operations.
Prior to joining the World Bank,
Sara graduated with honors in
Science, Technology, and Society
from Stanford University’s School of
Engineering where she also earned
a Masters degree in International
Policy Studies. She spent time
at the University of Queensland
studying and working in chemical
engineering. Following her time at
Stanford and a stint working for a
wireless start-up in Silicon Valley,
she was a Rotary International
Ambassadorial Fellow at the
Universidad de Buenos Aires
where she conducted post-graduate
study in Technology Policy and
Management. Sara also founded
Uganda Arts Outreach, Inc. and
serves on the Board of Lesole’s
Dance Project and the Global
Alliance for Linkages in Science
(GALS).