Dr. Ben Cislaghi is an international development scholar and practitioner specializing in gender norms, social justice, and community-led development.

Ben has led and contributed to major research initiatives on gender equality, social norms, health and child protection across Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East. His projects have advanced the strategic and conceptual agenda of a variety of international development institutions, such as UNICEF, the WHO, and the Gates Foundation, helping them explore the intersection of social norms, justice, and health, influencing programmatic and policy responses worldwide.

Previously an Associate Professor at LSHTM, he has also held research and advisory roles with organizations including the International Organisation for Migration and Save the Children. As Co-Director of the Humanising Development Collective, he promotes decolonial approaches to international development, emphasizing local agency and ethical research methodologies.

His publications, including three books and more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, contribute to global conversations on gender, power, and development.

At IDS, as an Honorary Associate, he continues to advance interdisciplinary research that fosters equitable, participatory, and impactful solutions to global challenges.