The ICSD is pleased to introduce Dr Raj Yadav, Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia, and Secretary of the ICSD Asia-Pacific Branch, as one of our representatives supporting engagement with the United Nations.

Dr Yadav’s academic and professional work centres on social development, with a particular interest in developing approaches to social transformation that are grounded in Global South contexts while remaining relevant to global challenges.

He holds a PhD in Social Work from the University of Newcastle, Australia, and a Master of Social Work specialising in Rural and Urban Community Development from Christ University, India. His research has explored poverty, international development, climate change and disaster, technology and the digital divide, the Sustainable Development Goals, decoloniality and the politics of development.

Dr Yadav brings extensive international experience to the role, having worked across countries including Nepal, Australia, Germany, Thailand, the Philippines and India. He has also been involved with a range of academic institutions, international networks and civil society organisations.

As an ICSD UN representative, he “aims to strengthen ICSD’s participation in global social policy dialogue, support collaboration between ICSD’s regional branches and members, and help mobilise researchers and practitioners to contribute evidence and perspectives to UN processes.”

A particular priority of his will be ensuring that local and regional knowledge informs ICSD’s global contributions and strengthening partnerships across academia, civil society, government and other development actors.

His appointment builds on his existing leadership within ICSD as Secretary of the Asia-Pacific Branch and supports the Consortium’s commitment to sustained and meaningful engagement with the United Nations.