Using responses from a self-administered questionnaire, this study presents findings on the likelihood that consultants, academics, and policy researchers based in the global south will be hired by mainstream development partner organizations. We also present organizations’ views regarding the future of economic-development consulting. A surprising consensus view is that researchers in the global south are frequently commissioned but that the budgets for this work are limited. Important concerns highlighted hindering the hiring of researchers in the global south include perceived lack of professionalism, inadequate experience and expertise as well as weak writing skills and articulating policy implications of research. Respondents envisage more commissioned research on the horizon in subjects such as welfare, distribution, and SDGs related subjects, especially since COVID-19 has now increased respect for local knowledge.
