Are you working to recognise, challenge, and dismantle the structures and practices that perpetuate gender-based inequalities? Mirna Guha, Reetika Revathy Subramanian and Sharmila Parmanand have a call for papers following their panel at DSA 2024. Gender Justice in Troubled Times will be published by the Development in Practice Journal. Abstracts should be submitted by 15 March.

The Centre for Development Studies at the University of Bath will host DSA2025. The Centre is one of the founding members of the DSA and we are delighted to have the conference in Bath in the same year as their 50th anniversary. We talk to the Centre co-directors about their participatory approach and practical engaged teaching and what you can expect when you attend DSA2025.

Two more webinars from this DSA Study group:
* 5 Feb: Book talk, ‘Hottest of the Hotspots’ by Dr. Ben Neimark, Queen Mary University of London.
* 19 Feb: ‘Vanguard of the Forests’ by Dr. Aby L. Sene, Clemson University.

Development Studies and International Studies have shared many interactions over the years, yet the full potential of their dialogue remains underexplored. With the contemporary challenges of an emergent global geopolitics, DSA member Andy Sumner says now is a good time to think about how DS and IS might better engage with one another.

The British Council and the University of Leeds have published the findings from their recent research collaboration into the role of non-formal education (NFE) in empowering young people to drive meaningful social change.

The research focuses on development contexts and includes detailed studies into NFE initiatives in Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Myanmar, as well as insight from the British Council’s global youth leadership programme, Youth Connect.

With the rapid rise of information and communication technologies, digitalisation has become a key driver of economic transformation and social progress. These initiatives have revolutionised industries, introduced innovative business models, and improved vital services. However, digital challenges and issues have sparked significant debate.

Weiyi Zhang says understanding public perception of digital development is crucial. It’s not just about tracking approval; it’s about aligning technological progress with societal expectations to ensure a more inclusive and sustainable future.

For centuries thinkers have tried to explain why some countries grow rich while others remain poor, with varied success.

In this event Ali Allawi and Shiping Tang debated current development strategies in developing countries, including the role of neoliberalism, institutions and other major factors in generating long-term economic growth. In particular the they focus on how globalisation, the rise of China and rising inequalities have altered strategies of economic development in the 21st century.

The IKEA Foundation has renewed its support for Oxford’s Refugee-Led Research Hub, pledging £2 million to the pioneering initiative that helps people who have been affected by displacement to become leaders across the humanitarian sector.

While the relationship between colonialism and development is well documented, the colonial underpinnings of key research methods, such as surveys and big data, have received less attention.

In the The European Journal of Development Research DSA member Laura Camfield critically examines how these methods, as tools of colonial governance, continue to predominate in development research and reduce the space for decolonial alternatives.

Nidhi S. Sabharwal from WICID’s Advisory Board has received an award from the Society for Research into Higher Education for her contribution to the field.

Her most recent research projects include a national-level study on student diversity and social inclusion and an evaluation study of publicly supported coaching programmes in higher education. She is the Co-PI for CPRHE/NIEPA & University of Warwick project on widening access to higher education in India (WAHEI project).

A writing and publishing partnership between the University of Sussex, the University of Lesotho and the University of the Free State was recently funded by the British Academy and hosted in Lesotho.

Beatrice Hati Gitundu (International Institute of Social Studies) talks to Hugo Pilkington about her research methodology and her fieldwork experience in Kenya. She narrates her experience of co-designing and rolling out mobile theatres in fire disaster research across 3 informal settlements. It is part of EADI’s Decolonising Knowledge for Development – Share your Story” project.

Vicky Johnson, Tessa Lewin, Andrew West
Research and intervention processes have been left wanting by the lack of the substantive inclusion of children and young people, as well as the challenge of adultism − the ongoing and systematic disregard of many children and youth in decision-making.

Reframing Aid: A strengths-based Approach to International Development by Keren Winterford, Deborah Rhodes and Christopher Dureau and published by Practical Action Publishing is the winner of the 2024 DSAA book prize.