Dr. Cosmas Milton Obote Ochieng is the Executive Director of ACTS. Dr. Ochieng has held various positions in a number of university, research, development and conservation organizations around the world. These include IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature); Technical University of Denmark (DTU - UNEP Risoe Centre); Lancaster University (Lancaster Environment Centre); Ecoagriculture Partners, IFPRI (International Food Policy Research Institute); ActionAid International (UK); IDRC (International Development Research Centre); Kenyatta University and IIRR ( International Institute of Rural Reconstruction).
Dr. Ochieng has conducted research, policy analysis and teaching in the areas of agriculture and food security; sustainable land, water and energy ecosystems management; biodiversity and natural resource governance; national systems of innovation; international trade and development; green economy and climate change; ICTs and development in Africa; and political economy of African agrarian development. Dr. Ochieng holds a Bachelor of Arts (First Class) Honours Degree from Kenyatta University (Kenya), a Masters in Development Studies (Distinction) from Cambridge University (UK) and a DPhil (Doctor of Philosophy) in Development Studies from Oxford University (UK).