Development Studies Association

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Times Higher Education hasn't covered the legal & misconduct allegations involving Cambridge academic & suspended Reform UK policy chief Dr James Orr since THE signed a sponsorship deal with Hungary. Orr also chairs a Hungarian gov-funded Foundation. buff.ly/TVTMERW

A new partnership between @afdbgroup.bsky.social and @odi.global aims to advance affordable finance across Africa. Facing falling aid, rising debt, and climate headwinds, the initiative focuses on financing tools and policies tailored to country needs. buff.ly/zbmqHOU

Next Generation Thailand, part of @britishcouncil.bsky.social's global youth research series, explores the aspirations, challenges, and opportunities shaping young people aged 18–30 and their role in the country’s future. Read more: buff.ly/mH7SGev

With over 230 panel submissions for #DSA2026, the bar for acceptance is high. How can your #DSA2027 proposal stand out? From framing a cohesive narrative to highlighting timely debates, read our top tips for convenors: buff.ly/AiX80aA

What makes an excellent partnership in global development? @globaldevinst.bsky.social reflects on long-term collaborations with Slum Dwellers International and One World Together, putting grassroots knowledge and trust-based funding into practice: buff.ly/wF0d9G3

The DSA NGOs in Development Study Group is revising its aims and future direction—widening its focus beyond traditional CSOs while keeping justice, solidarity, and decolonisation at its core. Help shape its name, objectives, and activities: buff.ly/PlPfc1V

Got a panel idea for #DSA2027? While our theme is ‘Development between hope and critique’, we welcome proposals across ALL areas of development theory & practice, and DSA Study Groups. Traditional, debate, or workshop formats welcome. Propose by 5 Nov: buff.ly/66RBY44

The UK government wants to shift ties with the global South from an aid-defined hierarchy to genuine partnership. How can this happen in practice beyond rhetoric? New research from @kings-sga.bsky.social on forging partnerships through horizontal cooperation: buff.ly/BAT2EBC

The DSA Gender and Development Study Group is seeking a new co-convenor to join the team and help shape the next phase of the group. 📅 Apply before 15 Nov buff.ly/IgmjtKV

The humanitarian system doesn’t need to “empower” local communities. It needs to enable them. Myriam Castaneda Solares, @bondngo.bsky.social buff.ly/2Nk2yRJ

Sponsored by JID at #DSA2026, Prof Naila Kabeer @lseid.bsky.social asked: what values should shape a different world, and whose experiences inform it? Her feminist lens didn't just add women to development, it challenged the model itself. Watch here: buff.ly/QUE7yKU

How can policy actors build genuine partnership in conflict-affected contexts? A new @wicidwarwick.bsky.social primer series explores community participation, participatory M&E, and centering local voices. Read all 3 primers: buff.ly/NaQ0Xjg

📚 DSA members can get 20% off books from the UN, World Bank and Center for Global Development via @marenostrumgroup.bsky.social’s online bookshop. Use code DSA20 at checkout. ⏳ Offer ends 31 October 2026. Browse their books: buff.ly/wnhCFmd

Where do we find hope in development today? At #DSA2027, we’re seeking panels on Global South leadership, climate politics, youth movements, and solidarity struggles. 💡 Panels outside the main theme or linked to DSA Study Groups are welcome! Propose by 5 Nov: buff.ly/66RBY44

The Nature’s Intelligence Ideathon, organised by the @tidecentre.bsky.social and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), brought together ten finalist teams selected from more than 380 applications across Latin America and the Caribbean. buff.ly/JSP2FrD

🎙️ @philipproudfoot.bsky.social, Research Fellow at @ids.ac.uk, was a guest on The New Humanitarian podcast Rethinking Humanitarianism: Should humanitarianism return to its activist roots? 🎧 Listen here: buff.ly/J1yMGQR

Should the DSA conference be hosted in the global South? PhD researchers @luqmanmuraina.bsky.social and Aysha Valery ask whether moving development conferences south fosters real equity. Read their piece, share your thoughts, or pitch a response: buff.ly/lsnaTUJ

Eliminating labour abundance is key to improving workers' living standards, North and South, writes Fernando Rugitsky, @soaseconomics.bsky.social Yet we cannot rely on population dynamics or capital accumulation to get there. Read more: buff.ly/Vjao2e4

How can culture drive climate action? Join @britisharts.bsky.social for the launch of a new KEA European Affairs report exploring the global impact and opportunities of culture-based climate action. 🗓 Wed 28 Oct ⏰ 09:30 & 17:00 CET 📍 Online Register: buff.ly/UoaTtkz

As decolonial thought shapes academia, @ingridhk.bsky.social, @kings-sga.bsky.social asks: what gets lost when radical challenges to power reduce to identity and knowledge? She argues for putting capitalism and structural power back at the core, on the @eadi.bsky.social blog: buff.ly/EKffR3w

From aid cuts to shifting geopolitics, the development industry faces unprecedented ruptures. #DSA2027 explores ‘Development between hope and critique’. We want panels examining new donor dynamics, multilateralism, and critical alternatives. Submit: buff.ly/66RBY44

'Sweat the asset’: new development minister plots path to make UK aid count. Kirsty McNeill reaffirms Labour’s 0.7% of GDP pledge and promises value for money to allay voter concern. buff.ly/dylW7ej

How should we measure progress in the 21st century? Professor Sabina Alkire, Director of the @ophioxford.bsky.social, @ox.ac.uk explains how the UN’s Beyond GDP framework could reshape global metrics—and the 5 factors key to its success. Read more: buff.ly/4utAqN3

Graduate students, early-career researchers, and established scholars are all welcome to convene at #DSA2027 The conference is fully hybrid, co-hosted with @sussex.ac.uk & @ids.ac.uk ⏰ Deadline for panel proposals: 5 November 2026 Read more and propose here: buff.ly/66RBY44

✍️ DSA Student/ECR Rep Jenni Argent is hosting an online writing community, open to all DSA members. Join DSA peers for 3 hours of focused writing, plus networking, peer accountability and moral support. 📅 28 Oct, 9am–1pm Register: buff.ly/92sHbeI

AI and digital tools can boost economic inclusion programmes—but they can’t replace human trust and motivation. A new @oucsgd.bsky.social policy brief outlines 6 ways to balance tech and "touch" in graduation programmes: buff.ly/3EFmAZA

For #DSA2027, we strongly encourage panels that bring together academic research with practitioner insights across all social science disciplines. Have an idea on 'Development between hope and critique'? Submit your panel proposal by 5 Nov: buff.ly/66RBY44

🎙️ How refugee-led organisations are transforming accountability, why funding barriers persist, and what donors must change to back community leadership. 🎧 Listen to this Think Change episode from @odi.global: buff.ly/qBe82JY

Planning a session for #DSA2027? We welcome non-conventional formats! Alongside traditional paper panels, propose: 💬 Debates & roundtables ⚡ Speed-meetings 🔥 Fireside chats 🛠 Interactive workshops Deadline to submit: 5 November 2026. Details: buff.ly/66RBY44

In response to the Foreign Secretary’s speech at Labour Party Conference, Romilly Greenhill, CEO of @bondngo.bsky.social, the UK network for NGOs, said: “the UK’s G20 presidency could be transformative in creating a more stable, resilient and fairer world for us all.” buff.ly/ZoYCCXG

📢 Call for Panels is now OPEN for #DSA2027! Theme: ‘Development between hope and critique’ 🗓 22–25 June 2027 📍 Hybrid: @sussex.ac.uk & @ids.ac.uk / Online Propose a panel, roundtable, or workshop by 5 November 2026: buff.ly/66RBY44

Next Generation Thailand, part of @britishcouncil.bsky.social's global youth research series, explores the aspirations, challenges, and opportunities shaping young people aged 18–30 and their role in the country’s future. Read more: buff.ly/mH7SGev

📢 Call for papers! A joint DSA–EADI study group invites contributions to its 2nd workshop in Johannesburg (1–3 Sept 2027), focused on Global South-driven futures for development studies ⏰ Deadline: 31 Dec Find out more via @eadi.bsky.social buff.ly/jlPo7uT

Rising Scholars supports 14k+ Global South researchers across 175 countries with free courses and networks. The DSA is exploring a future Rising Scholars development hub. In the meantime, read Ugochi Felicitas Oputa-Uzoukwu's inspiring journey: buff.ly/5TJcxHB

The #BISA2026 conference keynote in Brighton was delivered by Professor Kimberly Hutchings, Professor of Politics and International Relations, @QMUL and was titled 'Violence and the Meaning of Peace’. If you missed it, you can watch a recording: buff.ly/YnNY6Zm @mybisa.bsky.social

Can care build a better economy? At @openuniversity.bsky.social’s annual lecture, Prof Naila Kabeer explores why tackling economic inequality, climate change, and gender disparity demands joined-up thinking. 🗓 Thu 22 Oct, 16:00 BST 📍 In-person & online Register: buff.ly/TSeXEHd

The Scotland Study Group meeting showcased the energy of Scotland’s development studies community, bringing researchers & practitioners together to share ideas & explore collaboration. A great example of using DSA funding for locally relevant discussions. buff.ly/TQ6zzkz

📚 DSA members can get 20% off books from the UN, World Bank and Center for Global Development via @marenostrumgroup.bsky.social’s online bookshop. Use code DSA20 at checkout. ⏳ Offer ends 31 October 2026. Browse their books: buff.ly/wnhCFmd

Africa gets only 23% of the climate finance it needs – and pays too much for it, writes Carlos Lopes in The Conversation. buff.ly/LaQUBm7

📚 Shaping policies and programmes with evidence This six-week online course from @ids.ac.uk develops the skills and tools to use evidence to inform policies and programmes. 📅 22 Oct–26 Nov 2026 ⏰ Apply by 15 Oct Sign up: buff.ly/Ydssabk

📢 Join HPG at @odi.global as a Senior Research Fellow. They’re seeking a researcher with expertise in protection policy, conflict, civilian protection, human rights and humanitarian action. 📅 Deadline: 12 October 2026 Find out more & apply: buff.ly/jFdHR2L

📢 In his first public event since leaving his post as Commissioner-General of @unrwa.org, Philippe Lazzarini will speak at @ids.ac.uk on Gaza and the future of multilateralism. 📅 8 October 2026 Read more & register: buff.ly/nNp1ry6

📚 Download this inspiring new book for free from @papublishing.bsky.social, or order a paperback copy of ‘Smallholder Tree-Crop Farming in Ghana and South Africa: A farmer-centred approach to cultivating knowledge. Read more: buff.ly/fXjyXR5

📢 Call for Panels for #DSA2027 is open! Funding is critical for many to attend. DSA funds are limited, but we’ll share other sources of support in the coming months, plus tips from delegates who’ve found creative ways to fund their attendance. buff.ly/Duj9qhU

In our latest blog post, @luqmanmuraina.bsky.social and Aysha Valery suggest to hold EADI and @devcomms.bsky.social conferences in the Global South. What's your opinion on this? ✍️Comment on the blog! www.developmentresearch.eu?p=2683

How can civil society respond to democratic backsliding? Join @ids.ac.uk for a webinar bringing together perspectives from @unibirmingham.bsky.social, @tuc.org.uk, FCDO & others on strengthening democratic resilience. 📅 8 October 2026 Register: buff.ly/5n6uNEt

Jeanette Garcia Kola of @ucddublin.bsky.social reflects on young people and the polycrisis after a panel convened by Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence at DSA2026. More questions than answers, perhaps fitting for an uncertain future. Read more: buff.ly/UKgB5wz

DSA’s Early Career Researcher group organised free training online and in person for those interested in developing skills in grant writing. Read more: buff.ly/SQfkM56

📢 Call for Panels for #DSA2027 is now open. It may feel a long way off, but it’s never too early to think about the DSA Annual Conference, this year organised and co-hosted by @SussexDev and @IDS_UK on: Development between Hope and Critique. Read more: buff.ly/DFKBmrz