Short Abstract

People from lower socio-economic groups are less likely to study international development, to find employment in FCDO, NGOs or development departments, or to take up volunteering or international student mobility opportunities. This roundtable asks why, and how this can be addressed.

Description

The 2025 report 'A Profession for the Privileged?' suggested consistent under representation from lower socio-economic groups in the international development profession. They were less likely to study international development than other social sciences, less likely to find employment in the (former) DFID and FCDO, less likely to take up volunteering or international mobility opportunities and less likely to be employed by NGOs.

While the report focuses on the UK, this is a global phenomenon. It suggests under-representation of people with lived experience of poverty and insecurity within a sector rooted in the values of equity. The findings also suggest a relative lack of support for government and charitable spending on international development amongst lower socio-economic groups.

Yet there remains a lack of systematic evidence which could inform our understanding of the scale of the problem. The roundtable seeks to address this in three ways:

Firstly, it seeks to identify other sources of evidence (from the UK and outside) that enhance our understanding of the issue. Secondly, it considers whether existing data could be better utilised – for example, about the career paths of those undertaking postgraduate courses. Finally, it will consider how the experiences of those seeking to enter international development, including the barriers they are facing, could be better captured.

Whilst the emphasis of the roundtable will be on formal employment opportunities in the sector, including academic careers, attention will be paid to take up of volunteering, internship and international mobility opportunities as a means of entering the profession.

This Roundtable has 2 pending contribution proposals.
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