Jonathan Underwood

Jonathan Underwood is the Senior Research Manager for Major International Programmes at the Wellcome Trust. Jonathan has dedicated their career to research and policy advice on economic growth in developing countries.

Jonathan started their career as the Chief Administrative Officer for the International Growth Centre (IGC) in January 2012. The IGC promotes sustainable growth in developing countries through demand-led policy advice on the key drivers of growth to policymakers in Africa and Asia, drawing on the findings of over one thousand frontier research projects commissioned and managed by the centre since 2008.

As Chief Administrative Officer, Jonathan was responsible for the IGC's operations, including establishing formal, legally compliant offices and operations across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Jonathan also developed and implemented an operational structure to enable the commissioning, contracting, management and ultimate impact of research projects on economic growth.

In December 2019, Jonathan left the IGC to join the Wellcome Trust as Senior Research Manager for Major International Programmes. In this role, Jonathan is responsible for managing a portfolio of international research programmes with the aim of maximising their impact.

Jonathan Underwood completed an MSc in Philosophy, Policy and Social Value at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Jonathan then completed a MA (Hons) in English Literature at The University of Edinburgh.

Some of their coworkers include Claire Langford - Team Coordinator. Jonathan Underwood reports to Branwen Hennig, Acting Head, International Operations.