Mission & Vision
GCIRD emerged from a recognition that the current structure of global policy research remains unevenly distributed. Many established think tanks continue to rely on limited professional networks and inherited models of expertise. As a result, significant regions, social groups, and younger generations often stand at the margins of debates that directly concern them.
Our work began under the name Global Diplomacy on Substack, where we published analysis and commentary aimed at widening participation in discussions on international affairs. By the end of 2025 it became clear that the scale of the issues we sought to engage required a more formal institutional presence. GCIRD was created to meet that need and to provide a structured platform for a broader community of analysts and researchers.
GCIRD is a fully digital, online-first, non-profit organisation. All of our work is open access. This reflects our position that rigorous analysis of global development and international relations should be a public resource rather than a restricted commodity. The digital nature of the institution allows contributors from any region to participate on equal terms without the constraints of geographic location.
Our mission is to expand the range of perspectives involved in interpreting global developments and shaping policy conversations. We bring together experienced researchers, practitioners from international fields, and emerging analysts whose insights are often absent from traditional venues. We treat the diversity of backgrounds and regional experiences as an intellectual advantage rather than a challenge to established norms.
Our vision is of a global policy environment in which participation is not limited by age, geography, institutional affiliation, or academic pedigree. We seek to support a setting where established scholars work alongside newer voices, and where debate is informed by lived experience as well as technical expertise. GCIRD aims to contribute to a more accurate, inclusive, and socially grounded understanding of international affairs.
Through its digital structure, public-facing research, and commitment to openness, GCIRD works toward a world in which informed analysis plays a meaningful role in shaping cooperation and addressing shared challenges. We view this effort as an ongoing task that requires continual reflection, adaptation, and engagement with a widening community of thinkers.