Dr Ian Askew is the Director of the World Health Organization’s Department of Reproductive Health and Research, which includes the UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP). He provides leadership on critical aspects of sexual and reproductive health and rights by: shaping the global research agenda and coordinating high-impact research; setting norms and standards for delivering sexual and reproductive health services; articulating ethical and human-rights-based approaches; strengthening research capacity of institutions in low- and middle- income settings; and guiding efforts to achieve WHO’s vision all people’s right to attain the highest possible standard of health and well-being, including their sexual and reproductive health. Before joining WHO in 2016, Dr Askew lived in Kenya for 25 years and worked in multiple countries throughout the region and globally.