Kate Raworth (born 1970) is a British economist best known for developing the “doughnut” model of sustainable development, which integrates ecological limits with social foundations. She has held senior research and policy positions at international development organisations and academic institutions, and is the author of the widely cited book Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st‑Century Economist (2017).
Early life and education
Raworth was born in the United Kingdom. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Politics from the University of Cambridge and subsequently completed a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Development Economics at the University of Oxford. The precise dates of her degrees are not universally documented in publicly available encyclopedic sources.
Career
- Oxfam: Raworth served as a senior economist, contributing to research on poverty, inequality, and sustainable development.
- New Economics Foundation: She held a senior economist role, focusing on alternative economic models and policy analysis.
- Academic affiliations: She is a senior research associate at the Centre for the Study of Social Justice, University of Oxford, and has been involved with the Institute for New Economic Thinking.
- Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL): In 2020 Raworth co‑founded DEAL, an initiative that assists cities, regions, and organisations in applying the doughnut framework to planning and policy.
- Public speaking: Raworth has presented the doughnut model at numerous international conferences and delivered a TED Talk titled “A 21st‑century view of economics” (2015).
Doughnut Economics
The doughnut model visualises a safe and just space for humanity between a social foundation (e.g., health, education, equity) and an ecological ceiling (planetary boundaries such as climate change, biodiversity loss). The framework draws on concepts from ecological economics, feminist economics, and systems thinking. It has been adopted by several municipalities, including Amsterdam and Copenhagen, for urban planning and sustainability strategies.
Publications
- Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st‑Century Economist (Routledge, 2017).
- Numerous peer‑reviewed articles and policy reports on development economics, sustainability, and economic methodology, published through Oxfam, the New Economics Foundation, and academic journals.
Awards and honours
- Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to economics.
- Recognised by the World Economic Forum as a “Young Global Leader” (date not uniformly cited).
Personal life
Details about Raworth’s personal life are not extensively covered in reliable encyclopedic sources, and she maintains a low public profile regarding private matters.
Impact and legacy
Raworth’s doughnut framework has influenced contemporary debates on sustainable development, climate policy, and economic education. It is frequently referenced in scholarly literature, governmental reports, and by NGOs seeking integrated approaches to meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals while respecting planetary limits.