Recently appointed the Director of Sussex’s Institute of Development Studies, Leach combines anthropological approaches with engagement with citizens, scientists and policy-makers. Along with others at IDS, she has been a key voice highlighting the issue of so-called green grabbing; where biofuels production, carbon or biodiversity offsetting or ecotourism leads to the appropriation of resources and restructuring of society comparable to colonialism. Via her work with the STEPS centre, Leach is also at the forefront of advocating an approach to sustainable development which stresses choice and options over a dominant linear model of progress. Or, as they put it, ‘pathways’ compared to ‘motorways’ which channel and ingrain the interests of the already powerful. As such, Leach’s power may well be expressed chiefly in enabling other voices, rather than overtly promoting her own.