Martin Russell

Dr. Martin Russell is co-founder of The Diaspora Institute and has contributed to diaspora engagement in approximately 60 countries. This work includes authoring several diaspora policies, strategies and action plans with a proven record of impact in driving diaspora engagement at scale across sectors including diplomacy, philanthropy and investment.

He holds a PhD from University College Dublin and was previously a visiting fellow at UNI-MERIT. He is currently a member of the Transition Assistance Practice Group of the Institute for Integrated Transitions, serves on the steering committee of a new 4-year Diaspora Diplomacy Research Project at DCU funded by Research Ireland, and serves on the boards of a select number of diaspora organisations globally. In 2022, he advised on the Global Diaspora Summit hosted by the Government of Ireland and led TDI’s advisory work with the Government of Ireland in support of their new national diaspora strategy launched in 2026.