On Monday 12^th May the UK Government published its white paper Restoring Control Over the Immigration System. The white paper revealed the Government’s policy direction on overseas talent and international students, outlining a number of policy shifts which will combine to create substantial impact.

The DSA and its members have been outspoken on this issue including:

Re: Immigration proposals and the vital role of global knowledge in development research

The Development Studies Association is the UK based membership organisation for all those studying, researching and teaching in the field of global development. Our work spans universities, research institutes, think tanks, and development organisations across the country and beyond.

By its very nature, development studies relies on international collaboration. Addressing the most urgent global challenges, such as the climate crisis, inequality, pandemics, and governance demands diverse perspectives and shared knowledge across borders.

We are deeply concerned that the recent government announcements on immigration risk undermining the UK’s leadership in this vital field. The reduction of Official Development Assistance (ODA) spending to 0.15% of GDP in real terms – far below the previous commitment of 0.7% – has already disrupted development research and partnerships. Now, the proposed immigration reforms risk compounding this damage by making it harder to retain those who have moved here and deterring new international researchers and students.

Development research is not a one-way act of charity; it is a mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and ideas. We note Baroness Chapman’s vision for a development strategy built on partnerships, and believe that such a vision is impossible without the kind of collaboration that is fostered by the UK hosting international researchers. For example, the NHS’s new strategy on community-led care has drawn directly on innovations pioneered in Brazil, with UK researchers working to translate this learning into improved domestic health policy. Community organising techniques pioneered in Africa and Asia have directly inspired the set up of savings groups across the North West of England, improving the lives of their members and their engagement with local authorities.

Currently, development researchers come to the UK from all over the world to bring their perspectives and experiences and help shape critical research. As an example, the Department of International Development at Kings College London, has students from 50 countries, who make up half the student body. At the Institute of Development Studies, 84% of Master’s students and 63% of PhD candidates in the 2023-4 academic year were from outside the UK. Making it harder for researchers to study, teach, or collaborate in the UK not only weakens our intellectual ecosystem, it sends an unwelcoming message that undermines the UK’s reputation as a global knowledge hub. The financial implications for higher education and research institutions will also be significant.

At a time when other countries, including members of the EU, Canada, and Australia, are actively attracting international scholars, the UK risks falling behind. To remain globally competitive and address the complex challenges of our times, we must be open to global knowledge and the people who generate it.

We urge the government to reconsider the immigration proposals and enable the UK to be a leader in inclusive, equitable, globally engaged research by:

Yours sincerely

Uma Kambhampati

President, Development Studies Association