By: Sheila Ronoh (PhD Researcher, Coventry University) & Zechariahs Owutuamor (Graduate Researcher, University of Reading), Students’ Reps on the DSA Council

At the recent Development Studies Association conference, Postgraduate Researchers and Early Career Researchers gathered for a vibrant student-focused session at the University of Bath. The meeting highlighted key opportunities for PGRs/ECRs engagement and explored ways to strengthen support systems within the DSA community.

Students were encouraged to make full use of the opportunities available through DSA, including:

In addition to taking advantage of existing opportunities, students were also encouraged to propose new ideas through student networks or Study Groups. One such initiative emerged from the student representatives’ network this year. After gathering feedback from institutional representatives across the country, there was strong support for organising a Policy Impact Training, which was subsequently held on June 24, the day before the official start of the conference. Some DSA institutional student representatives, in collaboration with Rowena Harding, DSA Communications, contributed to planning the training programme. This was also the same day that  a PhD Student Masterclass was held. Both sessions were well attended and positively received, with participants offering constructive feedback to enhance communication and logistics for future events.

During the meeting the students also expressed a desire for continuous and inclusive support for PGRs/ECRs throughout the year such as through career development resources, including training in publishing, funding applications, and job transitions. They also wanted more opportunities to network, present their research and collaborate. In the build up to the DSA2026 Conference, we shall take into account some of the proposals that the PGR/ECR community has made and we plan to organise activities before the main conference program kicks off.  We shall be in touch in due course with further details.

If you are a student or early career researcher in development studies, now is a great time to get involved, share your voice, and help shape the future of the field. Stay connected via the DSA website, and feel free to reach out to your student representatives with ideas or questions. Rowena also encouraged PGRs/ECRs contributions to the DSA Newsletter. If you would like to share research stories or updates from your institution, please email [email protected].

Sheila Ronoh (PhD Researcher, Coventry University) & Zechariahs Owutuamor (Graduate Researcher, University of Reading), Students’ Reps on the DSA Council