Gareth Willmer

Gareth Willmer

Gareth Willmer is a freelance writer and subeditor based in London. His main coverage areas are science, technology and telecoms, as well as how changes and advances in these areas affect the developing world. He regularly works for publications including New Scientist and SciDev.Net, and previously worked as a subeditor for Nature.

Latest Articles

The key to overcoming the dual burden of TB and HIV

The key to overcoming the dual burden of TB and HIV

about 2 years ago // Talking TB

Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death among people with HIV, so better integrating care for the two diseases is seen as crucial to ending TB.

How AI and chatbots can boost crop yields

How AI and chatbots can boost crop yields

over 2 years ago // Food Secured

Digital Green, a tech-driven agricultural training platform and nonprofit, is finding inventive new ways to help farmers turn more crops and more income. They told Devex how.

Local startups are harnessing AI and new tech to take on TB

Local startups are harnessing AI and new tech to take on TB

almost 3 years ago // Talking TB: Produced in Partnership

Innovations to speed up diagnosis and improve testing in remote areas are being developed in countries in Africa and Asia with a high tuberculosis burden. But there are challenges in getting them to scale.

Q&A: Why Moldova has moved to keep TB on the agenda

Q&A: Why Moldova has moved to keep TB on the agenda

over 3 years ago // Produced in Partnership: Talking TB

Amid COVID-19 and other crises, Moldova also faces a high burden of tuberculosis. Moldovan parliamentarian Dan Perciun speaks to Devex about the relaunch of the National TB Caucus and why it’s important to focus on defeating the disease.

How the ‘expressway’ to UHC can help prepare for the next pandemic

How the ‘expressway’ to UHC can help prepare for the next pandemic

over 4 years ago // Building Back Health

COVID-19 has highlighted the fragmented nature of health systems in low- and middle-income countries. But a renewed focus on the principles of universal health coverage could help mitigate the next crisis.

Down to a tree: Amazon forest tracking moves to the next level

Down to a tree: Amazon forest tracking moves to the next level

almost 5 years ago // Space Data for Development

Satellite technology is being used to tackle deforestation, but many are looking at enabling wider use. After a surge in deforestation in the Amazon, here's a look at recent developments that may help.

To infinity and beyond: Funding the future of space projects for development

To infinity and beyond: Funding the future of space projects for development

almost 5 years ago // Produced in Partnership: Space Data for Development

Space projects are promising — from reducing the human cost of natural disasters to boosting crop yields. But one perennial problem is securing access to sustainable, long-term funding. Here’s a look at what the future holds.

Train and retain: Forecasting disaster with geographic systems in the Pacific

Train and retain: Forecasting disaster with geographic systems in the Pacific

almost 5 years ago // Produced in Partnership: Space Data for Development

Remote-sensing technology is increasingly available to aid island nations in tackling climate change. But this alone is not enough. For long-term sustainability and in-country skills retention, effective training is needed.

The rise of collaborative mapping for the masses

The rise of collaborative mapping for the masses

over 5 years ago // Produced in Partnership: Space Data for Development

Collaborative projects for mapping in disaster, health, and conflict situations are on the rise as satellite technologies improve, becoming accessible for a much wider range of people worldwide. Many of these initiatives rely on volunteers, with students ideally placed to step in.

To improve disaster risk reduction, aid and tech experts look to women

To improve disaster risk reduction, aid and tech experts look to women

over 5 years ago // Focus on: Gender data

Several groups with a focus on risk reduction are pushing to increase women’s involvement — a key priority of the United Nations' Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction — and to close the gender data gap to better inform efforts moving forward.