When Professor Uma Kambhampati became President of the Development Studies Association in 2023, she started her term with some clear aims: that the DSA should reflect the diversity of development studies, drawing together different disciplines, perspectives and lived experiences. And that the association should be a space where all members felt able to contribute, challenge and lead.

As she undertook her term as President of the Council, she also recognised that a membership organisation needs strong foundations such as good governance and clear processes. These may not be the most visible aspects of leadership, but they make everything else possible.

“I wanted the DSA to reflect the richness of development studies itself not just in the disciplines represented, but in who feels this is their professional home. That means thinking about race, gender, career stage and geographical location, but it also means creating an organisation where people feel able to contribute.”

Over the past three years, much of Uma’s work has focused on building an organisation that is more transparent, resilient and better equipped for the future. Under her leadership, the Board undertook UK charity trustee training, governance arrangements were reviewed and clarified, and clearer guidance was developed for students and Global South members. This work is important and ongoing and it has helped ensure that the DSA is better able to support its growing and increasingly diverse membership.

“Governance rarely excites people, but good governance creates trust. It allows people to engage more because they know the organisation is working well. That was worth investing in.”

She also encouraged the DSA to think about meaningful  participation  – ensuring that members understand the role they can play in shaping the Association and the wider field. Through her leadership the DSA has developed engagement guidelines, supported the creation of new student grants and had ongoing discussions about the role of Global South members. 

Uma is the first to acknowledge that this work was collective. “None of this happened because of one person. The Board was willing to ask difficult questions, colleagues gave generously of their time, and the DSA team provided extraordinary support. We learned a great deal together and while many Council members are now completing their term I hope that this paves the way for the future Council to help grow the organisation.”

Emphasis on evidence, collaboration and long-term change has also shaped the DSA’s work on race and inclusion. A pilot race audit undertaken by Uma when she Secretary matured during her presidency. The Association undertook its Race Audit, providing an important evidence base about the diversity of development studies across UK higher education. Rather than treating diversity as something to be discussed in the abstract, the work sought to understand where progress had been made, where barriers remained and what practical steps might make a difference.That evidence also helped secure additional Academy of Social Sciences funding for workshops supporting racially minoritised early career researchers – turning insights into action.

“One of the things I’ve valued most is that we’ve tried to base our discussions on evidence. The Race Audit wasn’t about producing another report; it was about understanding our community well enough to make better decisions.” 

“I’m particularly pleased that we were able to build on that work by supporting and listening to racially minoritised early career researchers through a series of workshops and I hope we’ve helped create networks and opportunities that will continue long after this work.”

As an economist, dialogue between economics and the wider development studies community has been important to Uma. During her presidency, each DSA Annual Conference has featured an economist as a keynote speaker to reinforce the importance of genuine interdisciplinarity.

“Development challenges don’t arrive neatly packaged within disciplinary boundaries. The more we can bring different perspectives into conversation, the stronger our understanding becomes. I’ve been delighted to see economists contributing to those conversations alongside colleagues from across development studies.”

Looking back, Uma reflects on the achievements of the Council in her term. 

“Institutions matter because they outlast individuals. Presidents come and go, but the Association continues. If we’ve strengthened the DSA so that it is more open, more inclusive and better able to support its members into the future, then I think we’ve achieved something worthwhile.”