Diversity in Development is a UK charity aiming to make information about, and opportunities in, international development more widely available.
We’re prioritising opportunities for young people from groups who are currently underrepresented in the sector, especially those from from lower socio-economic groups/regions
Our Board of Trustees comprises:
Ellie Evelyn
Lizze Humphreys
John Kirkland, OBE (Chair)
Natasha Lokhun
Sheila Mburu
Jennifer Minard
Melissa Nicholson
(currently on maternity leave)
Denise Nishimwe
Mike O'Driscoll
Kirsty Smith
International development is important. It’s the mechanism through which we can impact some of the biggest issues in the world. The UK invests in development through government, charities and the private sector, and it’s vital that such investments are well spent. Government funded surveys show that under a third of people engage with these discussions at present. Those engaging are unequally spread throughout society, with much higher levels in higher socioeconomic groups. That’s not fair, and it’s not good for the development community.
Diversity in Development started its activity with trial events in Doncaster, Uxbridge and Leeds. These were intended to bring those interested in development together with those active in the field.
Our most recent event - Towards an Inclusive Development Sector - brought together practitioners, policy makers, academics and social mobility experts for a brainstorming session in December 3 2025 at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, Westminster.
Our launch report – A profession for the privileged? – brings together existing evidence on diversity within the international development sector, including NGOs, policymakers, education and volunteering.
The first two in our series of Evidence Briefings have now been published. The first looks at Diversity Monitoring in International Development Organisations. This work has been carried out in partnership with BOND,
The second Briefing looks at the at the socioeconomic composition of those studying international development, at university using previously unanalysed official data.
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Diversity in Development has successfully bid to convene a roundtable discussion on the barriers to socioeconomic inclusion in the sector at the 2026 DSA conference, to be held in Dublin in July 2026. Full details, including how to submit a paper can be found at Programme — Development Studies Association
Postgraduate qualifications in International Development are often seen as a great route into the sector - but how accessible are relevant courses? Do they help or hinder inclusion? In early 2026, a group of students from Brunel University will help us gather the evidence for these important questions.