David Towell

David’s central interest is in working with other people, organisations and social networks, locally and globally, to promote the development of 21st Century communities which are both sustainable (that is, living in harmony with our planet) and include everyone as equal citizens.

Using the Centre for Inclusive Futures as a vehicle, this contribution typically involves creating inclusive spaces for reflection on contemporary challenges and supporting action designed to make a positive difference. 

For example, current work includes:

• Helping civil society networks and their partners in local government advance sustainability and social justice - in line with Goal 11 of the global Sustainable Development Goals - so as to create Cities for All.
• Supporting UK efforts to advance Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, focused on living included in the community, through consulting to the national Gr8 Support Movement.
• Working with advocacy networks, particularly in Latin America, as they seek to improve disability equality through implementing Article 24 of the UNCRPD, focused on inclusive education.

David is best known for his leadership role in the King’s Fund An Ordinary Life initiative which helped to transform thinking about the opportunities and support available to people with intellectual disabilities and prefigured Valuing People. In addition to 20 years at the King’s Fund, he has worked at a number of centres which seek to bridge ideas and practice in achieving social change, including the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, the Nuffield Institute for Health (Leeds) and the School for Advanced Urban Studies (Bristol).

David has produced 5 books and more than 120 articles, all the most recent published on this website. HIs MA and PhD are from the University of Cambridge.