IACD Publications

IACD has published two books through collaboration by members and drawing on conference papers. Members can purchase these at a discounted price.

Connectedness, Resilience and Empowerment: Perspectives on Community Development (edited by Dr. Daniel Muia, IACD Trustee for Sub-Saharan Africa, and Rhonda Phillips, with chapters contributed by scholars from around the globe).

This book emerged from papers presented at the World Community Development Conference 2021 in Nairobi, exploring how community development processes and well-being influence each other and support the quality of life of communities.

International Community Development Practice (edited by Charlie McConnell, Daniel Muia and Anna Clarke, 2022)

This book is based chapter by chapter on IACD’s International Standards for Community Development, including examples from around the world of community development practice relating to each aspect of the Standards, from putting ethics into practice, to organizing for change, and to promoting diversity and inclusion.

IACD members are eligible for a 20% discount. Write to: [email protected] to get the discount code.

Publications by Bristol University Press and Policy Press


Critical Research and Creative Practice with Migrant and Refugee Communities
Edited by Brian Callan, Pearson Nkhoma and Naomi Thompson

Drawing on the voices and experiences of refugees, activists and professional practitioners, this collection illustrates the complexities of migration with real world case studies, and the possibilities of innovative and compassionate interventions.

Highlighting the use of creative and narrative methods in the social, therapeutic and community sectors, all chapters provide clear practice implications. Rather than presenting migration as a problem to be avoided, this book offers original insights on how research and practice can be better informed by the voices of those seeking a better way.


Advancing Health Rights and Tackling Inequalities
Interrogating Community Development and Participatory Praxis
By Anuj Kapilashrami, Neil Quinn and Abhijit Das

In a world facing multiple intersecting crises, the push for healthier, more resilient societies has never been more urgent. This timely book reveals how empowered and organised communities can lead this change. It offers policy makers, academics, and activists research-driven insights, decolonial perspectives and real-world examples of organising and collective actions from across the global North and South.

By centring on the power of community development, participation, and social movements, the book delivers actionable frameworks to tackle inequality and advance the right to health, making it an essential resource for anyone committed to health justice and for building equitable and sustainable health systems worldwide.

Community Development, Social Action and Social Planning
by Alan Twelvetrees and Russell Todd

The sixth, fully updated edition of this bestselling guide links the theory and practice of community work in an insightful and relatable read for students and practitioners alike. With an accessible style, experienced author Alan Twelvetrees sets out the realities of practice in everyday community development (CD) work.

With a much-expanded section on specialist community work, the guide also features brand new sections on work in health, housing, with children, young people and those with disabilities and the changing role of IT, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Community Work
Theory into Practice
By Karen McArdle, Sue Briggs, Kirsty Forrester and Ed Garrett

Written by community workers from diverse contexts, this highly accessible guide equips practitioners and students working in a range of community settings to make the best use of theory in their work. The book focuses on the hope, excitement and possibilities that contemporary theory brings to practice and is essential reading for all those concerned with social justice, inclusion and equality.

Drawing on voices from across the world, influential thinking, both old and new, is applied to the practice that underpins work with individuals, groups and communities. The book will inform and enhance practice for a wide range of students and professionals working in community contexts such as community development, adult education, youth work, community health and social work.

Populism, Democracy and Community Development
Edited by Sue Kenny, Jim Ife and Peter Westoby

Using international perspectives and case studies, this book discusses the relationships between community development and populism in the context of today’s widespread crisis of democracy.

It investigates the development, meanings and manifestations of contemporary forms of populism and explores the synergies and contradictions between the values and practices of populism and community development.

Contributors examine the ways that the ascendancy of right-wing populist politics is influencing the landscapes within which community development is located and they offer new insights on how the field can understand and respond to the challenges of populism.

Arts, Culture, and Community Development
Edited by Rosie R. Meade and Mae Shaw

How and why are arts and cultural practices meaningful to communities?

Highlighting examples from Lebanon, Latin America, China, Ireland, India, Sri Lanka and beyond, this exciting book explores the relationship between the arts, culture and community development.

Academics and practitioners from six continents discuss how diverse communities understand, re-imagine or seek to change personal, cultural, social, economic or political conditions while using the arts as their means and spaces of engagement.

Investigating the theory and practice of ‘cultural democracy’, this book explores a range of aesthetic forms including song, music, muralism, theatre, dance, and circus arts.

Peacebuilding, Conflict and Community Development
Edited by John Eversley, Sinéad Gormally and Avila Kilmurray

How do local communities effectively build peace and reconciliation before, during and after open violence? This trailblazing book gives practical examples, from the Global North, the former Soviet bloc and Global South, on communities addressing conflict in divided and contested societies.

The book draws on a range of critical perspectives and practitioner analyses. The diverse case studies demonstrate the considerable knowledge, skills, commitment, courage and relationships within local communities that a critical community development approach can support and encourage.

Concluding with activists’ perspectives on working with the challenges of violence, the book offers insights for both an understanding of the root causes of conflict and for bottom-up peacebuilding.

Decolonising Community Education and Development. Understanding the Past, Learning for the Future 
By Marjorie Mayo

It is vital that we decolonise community education and development – learning from the past in order to challenge current discrimination and oppression more effectively. In this book, Marjorie Mayo identifies ways of developing more inclusive policies and practices, working towards social justice for the future. She also tackles the pervasive influence of the ‘culture wars’ undermining work in communities, including the denial of problematic colonial legacies.

Inspired by movements such as Black Lives Matter and labour solidarity, the book includes case studies from the US, UK and the Global South, outlining the lessons that can be applied to community education and development training and practice.

For other books on Community Development published by Bristol University Press and Policy Press, click here: https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/community-development/all

IACD Members receive a 25% discount when purchasing on books on this website. Email: [email protected] for the discount code.

Other Publications

Journey to Hopeful Futures. A Handbook
By IACD Member, Helena Kettleborough

With Journey to Hopeful Futures, Helena Kettleborough offers a transformative new approach to reimagining a world which respects and restores the natural systems on which life depends. At a time when the imminent destruction of our planet can feel overwhelming, Helena invites the reader to re-energise, re-think and embark with her on a unique journey of hopeful discovery.

A handbook providing a practical toolkit of creative exercises and personal actions to revive our lives, and the world around us.


Higher Education, Community Connections and Collaborations
Edited by Sinéad Gormally (Anthology Editor), Abigail Maguire (Anthology Editor), Mike Seal (Anthology Editor)

This book innovatively explores the policy, practice and pedagogy of community engagement in higher education settings. It contributes to the evaluation of adaptive practice and responses in addressing inequalities further exposed by the pandemic, and the role of higher education institutions within this. By exploring such themes, contributors highlight implications for future practice and suggest areas for further pedagogical development. The book also includes perspectives on the patterns of change in higher education asking crucial questions pertaining to its role in regeneration and recovery as it seeks to work for, within, and between communities and constituencies. While it foregrounds youth and community work, it makes wider and systemic connections between communities and higher education institutions.

We are happy to include details of books published by members, which are relevant to community development practice. Contact: [email protected]