Our Aims and Objectives

We are the UK association for all those who research, study and teach global development issues

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What is Development Studies

What is development studies and decolonising development.

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Our Members

We have around 1,000 members, made up of individuals and around 40 institutions

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Governance

Find out about our constitution, how we are run and meet our Council

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People

Meet our Council members and other staff who support the running of DSA

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About

The DSA Conference is an annual event which brings together the development studies community

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DSA2026

Our conference this year is themed "Reimagining Development: Power, Agency, and Futures in an Uncertain World"

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Past Conferences

Find out about our previous conferences

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Study Groups

Our Study Groups offer a chance to connect with others who share your areas of interest

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Students and ECRs

Students and early career researchers are an important part of our community

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Publications

Our book series with OUP and our relationship with other publishers

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Decolonising Development

The initiatives we are undertaking that work towards decolonising development studies

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Membership Directory

Find out who our members are, where they are based and the issues they work on

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DSA2026: Are you ready for registration?

Early bird registration for DSA2026 is opening soon and it’s time to get prepared.

This year’s conference will bring together hundreds of delegates from around the world to explore the theme “Reimagining Development: Power, Agency, and Futures in an Uncertain World.” As in previous years, the conference will be hybrid, meaning you can join online or in person at University College Dublin. Here are a few quick ways to get ready before registration opens.

Secure budget approval

Attending DSA2026 is an investment in your work and your institution. If you need approval to attend, we’ve drafted a template letter you can adapt and send to your manager or procurement team to make the case.

Start networking now

Connect with fellow delegates ahead of the conference through the DSA2026 LinkedIn group. It’s a space to share ideas, discuss the conference theme, find collaborators, and continue conversations before, during, and after the event. You don’t need to be registered to join – everyone is welcome.

Prepare your online setup

If you’re attending virtually, a good technical setup will make all the difference. We recommend creating a free Zoom account ahead of time and installing it on your devices. If you’re concerned about internet quality for presenting or attending sessions, speak with your institute administrator or contact the conference team in advance.

Presenting a paper?

DSA2026 will also produce a Special Issue with the Journal of Development Studies. Paper presenters who expect to have a full paper ready by the time of the conference can nominate their presentation for consideration. A committee from the DSA Council and University College Dublin will review submissions and select papers for peer review. More details will be shared directly with presenters.

Important Note: We are aware of phishing emails claiming to offer conference accommodation bookings. These are not from us – DSA does not arrange accommodation. Please do not share your details with them.