Dr Cliff Allum is a writer, researcher, and consultant in International Development, with a particular focus on volunteering. In 2017, he became an Associate Fellow at the Third Sector Research Centre at the University of Birmingham, where he collaborates with academics, practitioners, and activists across various countries on research projects, consultancies, and articles. His published papers explore critical issues in volunteering for development, covering topics such as impact measurement, climate change, and the emergence of new volunteer models in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to his academic role, Cliff served as the CEO of Skillshare International, a UK-based International Volunteering and Development Organisation, until 2016. He was also President of the International Forum on Volunteering for Development from 2002 to 2008 and a founding member of the Forum Research Group, now known as RPPL. Additionally, he has chaired BOND, the UK-based NGO network for International Development. Active in his local community of Bournville, Birmingham, Cliff is dedicated to promoting community tennis and supporting local campaigns. He serves as a trustee for the Friends group of his local park and is a qualified tennis coach and referee through the LTA, demonstrating his commitment to sport and community engagement. Cliff will be presenting on “Valuing what we don’t know: drawing on history to understand volunteering and solidarity” in a Human Library Session during the IVCO 2024 Conference.