Community Development Researchers' Forum


The first meeting for global community development researchers took place in early 2023. This followed discussions between a number of CD educators who identified merit in facilitating those involved in CD research to come together in a shared space to;

  • present on the research they are doing,
  • how it connects and contributes to CD policy and/practice, and
  • explore what can be gained from sharing such research, which may be academic and/or community-based, undertaken by people within their own communities.

In broad terms, the intention is to keep the focus on topics of research interest rather than technical issues associated with undertaking research.  As with the Global Community Development Educators Forum, facilitating the Researchers Forum contributes to our overall purpose of supporting both the practice and discipline of CD.

Since the inaugural meeting, the Global Community Development Researchers Forum has met 3-4 times a year. Recent topics for consideration have included:

  • Community Development research for practice and policy development
  • Bringing together diverse stakeholders in CD research for change
  • Using research to support community development informed change
  • Research on community wealth-building

There is continued interest in sharing research practice and experience relevant to community development globally, and forum meetings continue to be well-attended and lively events. We are keen to build on this interest, and support those engaged in it to share, and contribute their research experience, particularly concerning our key strategic themes:  

  • Articulating the discipline of community development in policy and practice
  • Addressing poverty, marginalisation, and exclusion
  • Promoting social justice (diversity, equity, and inclusion)
  • Advocating for climate justice
  • Challenging neo-liberalism and the legacy of colonialism
  • Promoting human rights




You can find recordings of the Global Community Development Researchers' Forum Meetings on this playlist on our YouTube Channel