The Development Studies Association 2026 conference will be hosted by University College Dublin, marking the first conference outside the UK in over four decades. At the heart of this hosting role is the Centre for Sustainable Development, a multidisciplinary hub based within UCD’s School of Politics and International Relations.

Ahead of DSA2026, we explore how UCD’s Centre for Sustainable Development combines UN-linked policy engagement, interdisciplinary research and globally accessible teaching to rethink development – and why it is bringing the DSA annual conference to Ireland at this particular moment.

What sets CSD apart is its direct structural link to global governance. The Centre holds Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), allowing it to contribute directly to shaping sustainability policies on the world stage.

A distinctive feature is its partnership with the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). UCD co-created a flagship MSc in Sustainable Development with the SDG Academy—the online education platform of the SDSN. This programme is the first of its kind and is a truly global, online initiative that leverages researchers from the UN network alongside UCD’s own expertise to train the next generation of development practitioners.

With members drawn from politics, economics, agriculture and law and an active events programme across seminars, workshops and conferences, the Centre embodies the multidisciplinary approach required to tackle the interconnected nature of the SDGs.

Research at CSD is also about impact and implementation including reviewing how high-level goals such as Agenda 2030 translate into ground-level reality. Current flagship projects include:

The Centre’s teaching philosophy is built on flexibility and accessibility. Beyond its flagship UN-partnered MSc, it offers a suite of programmes in International Development, International Political Economy, Human Rights, Peace and Conflict and Gender studies. By blending traditional academic rigour with professional placements and state-of-the-art online learning, CSD is ensuring that development education is not confined to the classroom but is accessible to practitioners globally.

Hosting DSA2026 in Dublin is a statement of intent for both the Association and the University. Under the theme “Reimagining Development: Power, Agency, and Futures in an Uncertain World,” the conference will explore decolonising knowledge and the shifting dynamics of global aid.

“Tá áthas orainn DSA2026 a óstáil i mBaile Átha Cliath, agus an deis seo a bhaint amach chun peirspictíochtaí Éireannacha ar fhorbhairt idirnáisiúnta agus cúrsaí reatha domhanda a chur in aithne do phobal DSA. Tá téama na comhdhála – ath-shamhlú forbartha i ndomhan neamhchinnte – nasctha go dlúth le ceisteanna cumhachta, gníomhaireachta agus féiniúlachta a bhfuil Éire ag streachailt leo ina caidreamh casta féin le coilíneachas, neamhspleáchas, cúnamh idirnáisiúnta, forbairt eacnamaíochta agus dlúthpháirtíocht domhanda. Mar óstaigh, tá súil againn an dearcadh sainiúil sin a thabhairt chuig na díospóireachtaí sin ag DSA2026, agus spás criticiúil a chruthú dóibh.” – Dr Caitriona Dowd

“We’re really pleased to host DSA2026 in Dublin, and use this opportunity to perhaps introduce Irish perspectives on development and global issues to the wider DSA community. The conference theme – reimagining development in an uncertain world – speaks directly to questions of power, agency and identity that Ireland has navigated in its own complex relationship with colonialism, independence, aid, economic development, and international solidarity. As hosts, we hope to bring that distinctive perspective to, and create critical space for, those discussions at DSA2026.”  – Dr Caitriona Dowd

“For us at CSD, hosting DSA2026 is an opportunity to showcase Ireland’s distinctive position in the development landscape: a country with its own complex histories of colonialism, independence, migration and economic transformation, and today a strong voice in European and UN development policy. By bringing the DSA community to Dublin, we hope to create a space that connects UK and Irish development studies communities, while opening up wider conversations about power, agency and alternative development futures.”  – Prof. Supriya Garikipati, Centre for Sustainable Development, UCD 

“Dúinne san Lárionad um Fhorbairt Inbhuanaithe, is deis é DSA2026 suíomh sainiúil na hÉireann i réimse forbartha idirnáisiúnta a léiriú: tír a bhfuil a stair chasta féin aici i i taobh na coilíneachta, neamhspleáchais, imirce agus fás eacnamaíochta, agus inniu, guth láidir i bpolasaí forbartha na hEorpa agus na NA. Trí phobal DSA a bheith linn i mBaile Átha Cliath, tá sé i gceist againn spás a chruthú a nascann pobail staidéir forbartha na Ríochta Aontaithe agus na hÉireann, agus ag an am céanna, comhráite níos leithne a spreagadh faoi chumacht, ghníomhaireacht, agus todhchaíochtaí éagsúla don bhforbairt.”  – An tOllamh Supriya Garikipati, Ionad Forbartha Inbhuanaithe, COBÁC

For CSD, hosting DSA2026 is an opportunity to bring Ireland’s distinctive development experience into wider conversation: its histories of colonialism, independence, migration and economic transformation; its strong commitment to international solidarity; and its active role in European and UN development policy. Dublin also offers a timely meeting point for strengthening connections between UK and Irish development studies communities.