The DSA Study Groups have been buzzing with renewed energy this year, with new convenors, exciting collaborations, and events that bring critical global development issues into focus.

Across our network, several groups have welcomed fresh leadership.  The Decolonising Development, Business and Development, Rising Powers, Environment and Climate Change, Scotland and Women and Development groups have all appointed new convenors, ensuring continuity and creativity within their research communities.

The Women and Development Study Group has also refreshed its identity to Gender and Development, adopting a new name through an inclusive consultation process, and led a dynamic annual meeting at the University of East Anglia this June.

The NGOs in Development group has been particularly active securing funding to host a speaker from Palestine for their DSA2025 panel on rebuilding higher education in Gaza, co-editing a special issue for Development in Practice on localisation and social justice and taking part in the GDI Students for Palestine conference. 

The Politics and Political Economy SG continues to nurture PhD-led initiatives, while Religion and Development prepares a special issue on faith and LGBTQ+ inclusion. The Digital Technologies, Data and Development group’s earlier conference panels have already led to international collaborations and publications. The Scotland Study Group also hosted its annual conference.

At the heart of this activity lies collaboration and inclusivity. A recent cross-group online meeting hosted by the Council member Ibrahim Natil brought convenors together to share ideas, discuss funding opportunities, and explore new ways to host bilingual and hybrid events making sure DSA spaces are more accessible and globally connected than ever before.

DSA2025 saw a number of SGroups convene panels in Bath, and we hope the 2026 conference at UCD will  continue to be a vital hub of interdisciplinary energy and engagement. We look forward to seeing even more groups join this momentum – organising, collaborating, and helping shape the future of development studies.