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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DSA2025

Our conference this year is themed "Navigating crisis: dangers and opportunities in development"

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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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Opportunities for study and research at the the University of Edinburgh

The School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh is one of the leading schools of social science in the UK. As well as an outstanding educational environment for students, the school supports high-quality research on some of the world’s greatest challenges.

Opportunities to study exist at Masters and PhD level

MSc Africa & International Development

The Centre of African Studies is an internationally recognised hub for research and teaching on Africa and this course offers a unique opportunity to acquire a combination of interdisciplinary, regional expertise with a critical knowledge of international development theory and practice.

Graduates will gain a deep understanding of development dynamics and their implications for diverse societies in Africa, and how international thinking and politics shape various aspects of development policy and research within and outside the region.

MSc International Development

This programme engages critically with international development theory and practice, and broadly with processes of social, political and economic transformation throughout the global south. It is designed to suit the needs of both recent graduates of various disciplines, and professionals with two to five, or more, years’ experience who want to shift careers, upgrade their academic qualifications, or take a year out to reflect critically on their work.

MSc International Development online

This online distance learning opportunity examines what are the processes that have shaped poverty and inequality across the world and what have been the responses to them; and how do they differ across international, national, and local contexts?

MSc Conflict, Security and Development

This programme will deepen understanding of critical worldwide events such as civil wars, humanitarian crises, peacekeeping operations, and efforts for justice after violence.

PhD in African Studies

The Centre of African Studies is a hub for the study of Africa and hosts a thriving community of PhD students who make original and rigorous contributions across various themes from politics and economics, conflict and law, history and gender. Find out more about conducting research that engages with and extends knowledge of Africa.

PhD in International Development

The Global Development Academy welcomes students who are keen to develop doctoral research projects in collaboration with third parties, for example: NGOs, multilateral and bilateral agencies, campaign groups and media organisations.