Wilkinson, HeleneNagar, Swati2026-02-112026-02-112025-02-26Critical Perspectives on International Business, ISSN: 1742-2043 (Print); 1758-6062 (Online), Emerald, ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print). doi: 10.1108/cpoib-10-2024-01151742-20431758-6062http://hdl.handle.net/10292/20609This study aims to position work-integrated learning (WIL) as a transformative pedagogy for international business (IB) education. By embedding diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) into WIL, the authors demonstrate how universities can better prepare IB students to navigate global challenges and thrive in multicultural, dynamic business environments. WIL brings together students, industry and higher education providers to meet the needs of the labour market, where DEI increasingly matter from both a business case and social justice perspective. Building on over 30 years of cumulative experience in industry engagement and WIL, the authors discuss key forces, trends, challenges and opportunities in co-creating inclusive WIL opportunities for an increasingly diverse group of learners.© Helene Wilkinson and Swati Nagar. Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode3505 Human Resources and Industrial Relations35 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services3507 Strategy, Management and Organisational BehaviourWorkforce Diversity and OutreachGeneric health relevance4 Quality Education8 Decent Work and Economic Growth1503 Business and Management1608 SociologyBusiness & Management3505 Human resources and industrial relations3507 Strategy, management and organisational behaviourJournal ArticleOpenAccess10.1108/cpoib-10-2024-0115