For over 60 years, The University of Manchester has been at the forefront of Development Studies and The Global Development Institute continues to drive forward new ideas promoting sustainable development and social justice for all. The Global Development Institute addresses global inequalities in order to promote a socially-just world in which all people, including future generations, are able to enjoy a decent life. 

Global Development Institute Emeritus Professor Stephanie Barrientos has been elected as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Fairtrade Foundation, a global movement for change with a strong and active presence in the UK, represented by the Fairtrade Foundation. 

Stephanie’s appointment follows 25 years’ worth of research experience in corporate social responsibility, trade and labour standards, gender, and fair and ethical trade in global value chains. 

Stephanie gained recognition for her involvement in research exploring the social and economic sustainability of Cadbury’s cocoa supply chain. The project covered Ghana, the Dominican Republic and India. 

The team’s findings showed that poverty, gender inequality, and poor social provisions for cocoa farmers and workers were contributing to low productivity and threatened the sustainability of future production. 

In response to the findings, Cadbury instigated major supply chain changes and obtained Fairtrade certification for key chocolate lines. Mondeleze subsequently launched the Cocoa Life programme, dedicating over £45 million to support cocoa growers and their communities. 

Stephanie’s more recent work includes research into the contribution of women in global value chains. Through projects, such as the UK government-funded Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW), Stephanie has directly influenced gender equality strategies across a range of corporations, bringing direct benefits to more than 390,000 workers in their global value chains. 

Stephanie is currently working on a book about fairer trade in global supply chains as part of a Leverhulme Emeritus Fellowship (2023-25). 

Watch Professor Stephanie Barrientos discuss her recent book, Gender and Work in Global Value Chains: Capturing the Gains? (Cambridge University Press 2019): 

Gender and Work: Capturing the gains in global value chains with Stephanie Barrientos