thesis in development studies

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Graduate Field of Development Studies

Field-leading social scientists & development practitioners.

Our doctoral program in Development Studies (previously known as Development Sociology) focuses on ‘development,’ a central and contested concept that gained prominence after World War II, which implies progressive change towards improving economies and people’s well-being while conserving nature at local, regional, and global scales. Faculty and graduate students in the field of Development Studies study processes of social, cultural, ecological, economic, and political change, and the historical and contemporary forces that shape those dynamics. They also study the organizations and actors that engage in development-related processes and the practices, knowledge, and forms of expertise they bring to bear on their work.

An interdisciplinary field, Development Studies draws from a wide range of disciplines, including sociology, economics, political science, human geography, anthropology, history, Indigenous and postcolonial studies, and the natural and technical sciences. Our doctoral students study in a range of contexts, some working directly with communities around the globe, others exploring large data sets or studying institutions as they seek to understand the complexities behind development and its impacts on people and the planet.

The program offers preparation for research, for the application of social sciences in government positions, the non-profit sector, consulting, and think tanks, and for college teaching in development studies and related fields. For the Ph.D. degree, students are expected to demonstrate (1) a thorough knowledge of social theory in development studies, with special emphasis on theories in their major concentration, (2) knowledge of previous and current research pertinent to the concentration, and (3) knowledge of multiple research methods, including qualitative and quantitative, with special emphasis on research design, data collection, and analytical techniques relevant to study in the concentration.

Students are admitted into the Ph.D. program. If they do not have a M.S. degree in Development Studies or a related discipline, they will complete a qualifying paper or M.S. thesis as part of their training.

Lecturer Sarah Giroux and graduate student Anthony Poon discuss research.

Ph.D. in Development Sociology

The Graduate Field of Development Studies offers a single Ph.D. degree track in Development Sociology. With an acceptance rate of 15%, our cohort of 45 Ph.D. candidates come from backgrounds including journalism, natural resources, environmental studies, sociology and more.

The Department of Global Development works together with the  Cornell Graduate School  to process applications. Required documents must be submitted online via the Graduate School online application and requested test scores must be sent through the testing agency.

Application deadline

December 1; no spring admissions

Before You Begin

• Graduate study at Cornell is organized using a field structure. You can  familiarize yourself with this structure  to gain a better understanding of which faculty members might serve on your dissertation committee.
• The application will ask for your major concentration. The options are Population and Development, Rural and Environmental Sociology, and State, Economy, and Society.  Here you will find an overview of the concentrations  as well as a list of core and affiliate faculty associated with each concentration. You can also review the Student Handbook . 
• You are encouraged to familiarize yourself with faculty members' research areas before applying and to identify in your personal statement faculty members with whom you are interested in working. It is appropriate to email faculty members to see whether your interests and goals align, though this is not required.
• Please contact the aeb238 [at] cornell.edu (graduate field coordinator) if you are interested in visiting campus before you apply.

How to Apply

Submitted by the applicant via the  online application

• all  Graduate School Requirements , including the TOEFL Exam or IELTS Academic Exam for non-native English applicants
• Academic CV (upload PDF)
• Short writing sample (under 10 pages, upload PDF)

Submitted by recommenders via the  online application

• Three letters of recommendation must be on business letter and contain a signature of the letter writer, two of which must be from academic recommenders

Submitted by the testing agency to the Cornell Graduate School upon applicant’s request

• TOEFL Exam scores are required of applicants from countries where the native language is not English; see the  Cornell Graduate School website  for requirements and exceptions.

Contact Rachel Bezner Kerr, Director of the Development Studies Graduate Field at  rbeznerkerr [at] cornell.edu (rbeznerkerr[at]cornell[dot]edu) .

Those admitted to the Ph.D. program are guaranteed 5 years of funding. This includes tuition, health insurance, and a stipend.

Stipends for academic year 2022-23 are $30,088. For 2022, the estimated living expenses are:

• Rent and utilities:  $1,500 - $2,000/month
• Food:  $300/month
• Student Activity Fee:  $86/Year
• Health Insurance for spouse/domestic partner:  $3,612/year; for one child: $3,612/year; for two or more children: $7,224
• Optional dental plan : $271.15*
• Optional vision plan :  $4.65/monthly*

*Coverage available for spouse/domestic partner and children at additional cost

Application Fee Waiver

In cases of extreme financial need, the Graduate School will consider a request for a fee waiver.  If you think you are eligible for a waiver, please submit your application and the fee waiver request at the same time, right in the application form.  The Graduate School reviews waiver requests and notifications are sent within one to three business days.  Whenever possible, please submit your application with the fee waiver request at least three days before your application deadline.  If your request is denied, you will receive a notification asking you to revisit your application and pay the fee.  Please visit the Graduate School Application Fees  website  for additional information on fee waivers.

Cornell offers several fellowships for newly admitted students, including the CALS Excellence Award and the SUNY Diversity Fellowship.  These are determined by the department at the time of admission.

Teaching and Research Assistantships

• determined on a yearly basis
• include tuition, a stipend and student health insurance
• students are expected to work about 15 hours per week

For the academic year 2022-23, tuition is $20,800, the stipend is $30,088 and student health insurance (or SHP) is $4,046.  Summer and conference travel grants are available for students to apply to.

The Graduate School offers more information on  available fellowships for Cornell students .

Cornell Graduate School Travel Funding

The Graduate School is pleased to provide research degree students (M.A./M.S., Ph.D., J.S.D., D.M.A., M.F.A.) with financial support for travel that is linked to research and scholarship.  Eligible students are encouraged to apply for grant funding related to professional conferences, research travel, or summer language education. Ph.D. students are eligible for travel grants starting in their first semester until the end of the fourteenth semester of enrollment.

Visit the Graduate School Travel Funding Opportunities page to learn about the following: 

• Conference Grant 

Research Travel Grant 

Intercampus Travel Grant 

Summer Foreign Language Grant 

Department Conference Travel Grants

• Graduate students will be eligible for up to two conference grants of $400 during their graduate career.  A student must be making an oral presentation at a conference in order to be eligible for an award.  Graduate students who wish to use conference grant funding from the Graduate School or any other source and conference grant funding from Global Development must demonstrate a financial need by presenting a budget to the graduate program coordinator for review and approval.
• Travelers should review  Cornell’s Travel website .

Mario Einaudi Center grants

• Funding opportunities for students

Dissertation Research Grant

• Andrew W. Mellon Environmental Research Grant, Cornell University

The Ronny Adhikarya Niche Award (RANA)

• The R-Adhikarya “Niche” Award (RANA) empowers students to pursue innovative thinking in their studies and careers. This $10,000 annual prize to a graduate student in Global Development recognizes young visionaries who dare to think differently. 

The Cornell Graduate School hosts a  database containing over 700 funding opportunities . Here is a list of common sources of funding for Development Studies students, based on the previous five years:

• UCLA funding Searchable Database 
• Fulbright-Hays Awards 
• Fulbright U.S. Student Program  (deadline: September) 
• Foreign Language Area Studies Fellowship (FLAS)  (deadline: Spring) 
• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship  (deadline: October) 
• U.S. Borlaug Fellows Graduate Research Grant  (deadline: February) 
• Boren Awards for International Study  (deadline: January)
• American Association of University Women fellowships  (deadline: November/December) 
• Wenner-Gren Foundation Dissertation Fieldwork Grants  (deadline: November and May) 
• Social Science Research Council Dissertation Proposal Development Fellowship  (deadline: October) 
• Social Science Research Council International Dissertation Research Fellowship  (deadline: November)
• Rural Sociological Society Dissertation Research Award (Dissertation Research Grant)  

Other funding sources:

• U.S. Department of Homeland Security  (deadline: January) 
• Lynn Reyer Award in Tribal Community Development (Dissertation Research Grant), Society for the Preservation of American Indian Culture  (deadline: March)  
• Southwest Communities and Natural Resources Fellowship, (Pre-dissertation Research Fellowship), Community Forestry and Environmental Research Partnerships, University of California, Berkeley  
• Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowships  (deadline: December) 

Faculty in the field rely on a wide range of domestic and international funding to support research and graduate students. Graduate students also successfully apply for a wide range of internal and external grants for their fieldwork, such as the Wenner Gren fellowship, National Science Foundation and Fulbright fellowships.   Students and faculty members are actively conducting research around the globe, both in the United States and elsewhere. Although some doctoral dissertations are based on field-collected data, other candidates rely on rich secondary-data resources, working closely with the Cornell Institute for Social and Economic Research (CISER) and the various libraries on campus. Faculty members also participate in other fields such as Natural Resources, City and Regional Planning, Anthropology, Crop and Soil Sciences, in the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies, and in the area studies programs for Africa, Latin America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Several of those programs have supported dissertation research overseas. The department is also home to the  Polson Institute for Global Development , which funds assorted working group research initiatives in the U.S. and abroad.  

Students in the field of Development Studies engage in theoretical and applied research, teaching, and outreach on the causes, dynamics, and consequences of social, cultural, political and economic change. The program offers preparation for academic careers in development studies, sociology, rural sociology, geography and related fields, and for applied careers in development studies, including development work in the United States and other countries. For the Ph.D. degree, students are expected to demonstrate (1) a thorough knowledge of social theory, with special emphasis on theories in their academic concentrations, (2) comprehensive knowledge of the body of work that is pertinent to their concentrations, and (3) knowledge of multiple research methods, with special emphasis on research design, data collection, and analytical techniques used in the discipline.

Learning Goals

By the time you graduate from our program, you should be able to analyze the world as a social scientist with expertise in development studies. This means that you will be able to synthesize a range of social science and related technical knowledge and apply it to today’s problems. You should be able to think critically and independently and generate research that makes a substantial contribution to the field.  We offer courses that foster foundational skills in both theory and method, and we provide courses that teach specialized skills in sub-areas that are central to Development Studies.  You should be able to use what you learn here to enter a career in academia, in the public or private sector, or in development practice.

Students in our field must be able to convey the results of their research in writing and through their spoken abilities. You will be given ample opportunity to prepare your research for presentation in coursework and eventually at conferences. It will be important to organize material for a clear and concise presentation and to adhere to time guidelines. When you are ready to present your work at professional meetings, we will encourage an in-house public presentation first, so that you can receive constructive feedback on the substance or your work and your presentation style.

It is critical that Development Studies scholars be aware of and able to adhere to ethical guidelines regarding the conduct and dissemination of their research, whether the research is an individual project or a collaborative one. Students in our program must take part in Institutional Review Board (IRB) training and any research involving human subjects must receive IRB approval before it is begun.

Proficiencies

A candidate for a Ph.D. in Development Studies is expected to demonstrate mastery of knowledge in theory and method and to be able to make original and significant contributions to the field upon completion of her/his degree. 

Proficiencies that are required to be demonstrated by the candidate: Make an original and substantial contribution to the discipline through the following:

• Demonstrate your understanding of the field of knowledge in our discipline
• Be able to identify new research opportunities 
• Be able to identify an important research question
• Think critically and creatively
• Synthesize knowledge and apply in important innovative research 

Acquire and communicate advanced research skills

• Synthesize existing knowledge
• Master existing quantitative and qualitative research methods 
• Master oral and written communication skills for conveying information clearly and effectively

A commitment to advancing scholarship

• Gain and maintain familiarity with core knowledge and advances in the field

Concentrations

Population & Development

Environment & development, state, economy, & society.

Focuses on theoretical, methodological and applied aspects of population and development in both developing countries and the United States from a social demography perspective emphasis on links between population, food and environmental sustainability, fertility, and population movements.

Emphasis on environmental equity and rural sustainability, social carrying capacity and the nexus between poverty and resource allocation, access and use, and devolution of power and responsibility.

State, Economy, & Society combines themes of political and economic sociology, within macro- and micro-comparative and historical approaches, emphasizes general training in the social change and development area to enhance students' credentials for general sociology programs, and views development as less the analysis of the Third World, and more the analysis of global and local processes with broad variation.

Our Experts

Department of Global Development

Director of Graduate Studies, Graduate Field of Development Studies

Director, Institute for African Development

Global Cornell

• (607) 255-3213
• rbeznerkerr [at] cornell.edu

Graduate Field Coordinator

• dl987 [at] cornell.edu

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Theses and Dissertations (Development Studies)

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Recent Submissions

• Factors contributing to the failure of community income generating projects in the Mankweng Cluster of Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province  Raedani, Phathutshedzo Priscilla ( 2023 ) The prevalence of poverty, unemployment and low economic growth are some of the reasons programmes for poverty alleviation have been introduced. The study sought to examine the factors that contribute to the failure of ...
• The efficacy of integrated development plan implementation towards the enhancement of basic service delivery : case of Mpakeni Village, Mbombela Local Municipality, South Africa  Thabethe, Lifa Rodney ( 2023 ) The study aimed at investigating the efficacy of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP)‟s implementation to enhance basic service delivery at Mpakeni Village in the Mpumalanga Province. The South African government ...
• The impact of local economic development on livelihood strategies in communities of Botlokwa Village, Molemole Local Municipality, Limpopo Province  Lebopa, Thapelo Brilliant ( 2023 ) Local economic development was instituted as a strategy by the new democratic government to boost employment, local economic growth and reduce poverty at local level. This research investigated the impact of LED towards ...
• Participation of public school in Local Economic Development in Marite, Bushbuckridge in the Mpumalanga Province  Malibe, Tholi Vusi ( 2017 ) The study focused on the participation of public schools in LED. Public schools are viewed as the corner-stone of community development. They are institutions which are based within the community to cater for their ...
• The contributions of rural livelihood diversification towards household income-poverty alleviation in Madumeleng Village, Limpopo Province  Maake, Shadrack Manala ( 2017 ) Although motivations vary across households, livelihood diversification is commonly adopted as a coping strategy against income-poverty and food insecurity in Africa. Income-poverty is disproportionately the main integral ...
• An evaluation of the expanded public works programme in Sekhukhune District of Limpopo Province  Ramaepadi, M. D. ( 2007 ) Refer to document
• The effects of rural development non-governmental organisations governance on societal transformation in Elandsdoorn Moutse, Limpopo Province  Makofane, Happines Refilwe ( 2022 ) This study provides a theoretical foundation for researchers to investigate the effects of rural development non-governmental organisations’ governance on societal transformation. The research also assessed the mission ...
• The role of community based organisations in empowering victims of gender based violence : case study of Ikhaya Lethemba Centre, Gauteng Province, South Africa  Rasekgala, Lenkwang Sylvia ( 2022 ) There is a high rate of gender-based violence in South Africa. The study aimed at examining the effectiveness of Ikhaya Lethemba as a community based organisation in empowering victims of gender-based violence in Gauteng ...
• The effectiveness of national financial aid scheme towards student skills development at the University of Limpopo, South Africa  Mokgotho, Manoko Graca ( 2022 ) The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) was introduced in South Africa in 1999. Despite two decades of implementation—and some notable successes—the NSFAS has been critiqued for its overall “effectiveness” (McKay, ...
• An analysis of the environmental liability for breach of the duty of care for the environment in South Africa  Gaveni, Dyondzo Walter ( 2022 ) Refer to the document
• Exploring challenges faced by social workers on the management of foster care backlog at the Department of Social Development, Limpopo Province, South Africa  Matsoso, Sisimogang Philadelphia ( 2022-10-11 ) The foster care backlog has been a challenge in the National Department of Social Development for some years which resulted in the lapsing of foster care grants and thousands of children left without legal and statutory ...
• The effects of small and micro-enterprises (SMES) on Employement creation in Sefene Village, Limpopo Province  Makgamatha, Mpho Gift ( 2022 ) Small and Micro-Enterprises (SMEs) are considered sources of income that give people the purchasing power to meet their basic needs and improve their standard of living. Primarily, this study investigated the effects of ...
• The effectiveness of the 'fetsa tlala' initiative in improving food security of women smallholder farmers : a case of Semaneng Village, Polokwane Local Municipality  Tefu, Kgabo Maureen ( 2022 ) Development projects, including the Fetša Tlala Initiative, were designed to contribute to the National Development Plan, 2030. The objectives of this research assessed how effective the Fetša Tlala project was in ...
• Sustainable economic development challenges faced by managers of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) at Lepelle Nkumpi Municipality in the Limpopo Province  Mashilo, Kakaru Sinah ( 2022 ) Unemployment in South Africa has prompted the government to shift focus in terms of employment creation resulting in encouraging citizens to become entrepreneurs. This took effect after 1994 and small, medium, and micro ...
• The role of school management teams towards provisioning of school sanitation at Man'Ombe Circuit, Mopani Education District in Limpopo Province, South Africa  Maswanganyi, Amukelani Lizzy ( 2022 ) The purpose of this study was to explore the role of SMTs in providing and sustaining schools’ sanitation infrastructure. Qualitative research approach was conducted to determine if the SMT members fully understand the ...
• Determinants of population development in planning for South Africa  Mmotlana, Lerato ( 2022 ) Population development planning has continued to be a battle for both developed and developing countries, as such it has been used as an exploitative tool and a political instrument to manipulate societies. China has offered ...
• Community development projects and their contribution to rural women empowerment in Lulekani of Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality, Limpopo Province  Baloyi, Vongani Olga ( 2022 ) The implementation of community development projects in rural South Africa was expected, among other outcomes, to empower women by creating opportunities for their sustainable livelihoods. This study investigated contributions ...
• Teacher participation in community development in the Insikazi Circuit in Mpumalanga Province  Maseko, Thandi Eunice ( 2013 ) This study was undertaken with the purpose of investigating the involvement of educators in community development in the lnsikazi Circuit. In terms of research design, the study used a case study, namely the lnsikazi community. ...
• The role of traditional leaders in service delivery : a case study of the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality in the Mpumalanga Province  Mdluli, Lucas Patson ( 2008 ) Refer to the document
• Contributions of informal trading towards urban livelihoods in Polokwane city central business District, Limpopo Province  Meso, Kevin Kwena ( 2017 ) The central focus of this study was to investigate the contributions of informal trading towards urban livelihoods in Polokwane CBD. A multiplicity of stressors and shocks affect informal trading and its contributions ...

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PhD in Development Studies

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Description

Most of our PhD students spend their second year away from Cambridge, conducting their fieldwork for which some limited financial assistance is available.

A part-time PhD route is available and proceeds in a similar sequence but over a longer duration, with a maximum allowed length of seven years. Candidates who intend to carry out fieldwork as part of their doctoral research cannot be considered for the part-time route.

In the first year of the PhD programme there is a focus on training in research methods and transferable skills. Students will take a Research Methods course and it is compulsory for all first year PhD students to attend, including part-time students. Students are also encouraged to attend seminars and other events that are organised by the Centre of Development Studies and departments throughout the University, such as the Social Sciences Research Methods Centre .  All candidates for the PhD programme are not at first registered for the degree, as they have to pass a  registration exercise  towards the end of the first academic year of study. The registration exercise aims to ensure that the candidate’s project is viable, that an appropriate methodology has been developed, and that the candidate is capable of carrying the project through successfully. Failure to pass the registration (which may be repeated only once) will result in removal from the course. Details of First Year Assessment for current First Year students are found on Moodle.

Transferable Skills Training  is available through the University and further information can be found  here . 

PhD students are invited to give a presentation on their own research at seminars run by the Centre. This is a great opportunity to develop presentation skills and receive valuable feedback from both senior academics and peers relating to their thesis. Presentation of a paper at one of these seminars is a requirement of the PhD programme.

The essence of the Cambridge experience , however, is that the PhD candidate works closely with the PhD supervisor. He or she will help the candidate develop the thesis project through discussion and the review of draft materials presented by the candidate. 

The process of working on the thesis will differ from candidate to candidate, depending on their project, their preferences and the style of supervision adopted. However, in general, it is expected that the first year will be devoted not only to completing the Research Methods modules, but also to the development of a detailed and well thought-through thesis outline and methodology. In particular, at the outset, the student should devote some time to considering how they will be making an original contribution to the field through their work.

As members of a research-oriented institution, Cambridge University academic staff are entitled to sabbatical leave . As a result, it is possible that in any particular term or year one of the members of the academic staff may be away. The University always endeavours to make appropriate arrangements for substitute teaching, but occasionally one or another option may be suspended during a staff member's leave.

By the end of the programme , candidates will have acquired excellent skills, experience and knowledge to undertake postdoctoral work (research, teaching or both) or another profession related to the field of development studies. 

For details of the virtual Postgraduate Open Day, held in November each year: Postgraduate Open Day

The  application and deadlines   page contains details of the entry requirements and all the key dates to be aware of for funding opportunities., the  fees and funding  page contains details of schemes specific to this course., the  frequently asked questions page should cover anything else that the other pages have missed.

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MPhil in Development Studies

• Entry requirements
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About the course

The two-year MPhil in Development Studies will provide you with a rigorous and critical introduction to development as a process of managed and unmanaged change in societies in the global South. Our students go on to careers in development policy or practice or for further study in the field.

Course objectives

The course will introduce you to development studies as an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary subject. It covers the intellectual history of development, the paradigm shifts and internal conflicts within the discipline and the contemporary relevance of research to development policy and practice.

Course structure

The course comprises five elements: foundation courses, research methods, the core course, the thesis and two option courses.

In the first year, you will study two out of three foundation courses:

• History and Politics
• Social Anthropology

If you have no previous training in economics you must take this as one of your foundation courses; otherwise you must take the other two.

You will learn about research methods for the social sciences, comprising sessions on research design and qualitative and quantitative methods. Thesis workshops offer preparation for your research. Additional sessions will be held on aspects of fieldwork ethics and safety, library resources and software and computerised databases.

The core course, also taken in the first year, is an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary course with two component modules:

• Theories of Development
• Key Themes in Development

You will spend the summer following your first year working on a thesis. You will choose the topic, with the guidance of your supervisor, and, in most cases, spend some of the summer doing research and gathering data. 

In the second year, you will take your chosen option courses and continue work on your thesis. More information can be found in the course handbook on the department's course page.

Teaching and learning

Each course entails up to four hours of teaching per week, delivered through lectures, classes and workshops. Class sizes are small – between 5 and 30 students – encouraging active participation and enabling students to learn from each other. You prepare for sessions by reading a selection of recommended books, book chapters and articles.

Supervision

You will be allocated a general supervisor who will support your academic development and with whom you will meet regularly. Supervisors are allocated based on your research interests, fit with the supervisor’s expertise, and staff availability. In your first year, you will identify someone to supervise your thesis, typically someone from the MPhil core staff. You will also have a college advisor whom you may consult on issues concerning your personal wellbeing.

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Oxford Department of International Development. It is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Oxford Department of International Development.

Formal assessment will normally comprise a written examination at the beginning of the third term for each foundation course; a written examination at the end of the third term and a research design essay, submitted in the same term, for research methods; and two essays for the core course. You must pass all summative assessments to continue into Year 2. There is an opportunity to re-sit in September.

You will be formally assessed for your two option courses as well as the thesis submitted during the final term. Further information on the thesis can be found on the departmental website.

Graduate destinations

A number of MPhil students choose to continue to doctoral study after completing the course, expanding their MPhil thesis  into a DPhil thesis in ODID or elsewhere. Others have gone on to jobs in the United Nations, government, diplomacy, politics, NGOs, the media, art, business, finance, management, technology and development consultancies.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

Entry requirements for entry in 2024-25

Proven and potential academic excellence.

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying. 

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours  in a social science subject.

As one of the purposes of the course is to provide a basic education in the subject, in exceptional cases, students who have not specialised in a social science may be admitted to read for the MPhil in Development Studies. It should be recognised that for some students, the transition to a social studies approach to learning may be challenging.

Entrance to the course is very competitive and most successful applicants have a first-class degree or the equivalent.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA normally sought is 3.8 out of 4.0.

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are required for application.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

• Research or working experience in developing countries is desirable but is not essential.
• An ability to work both independently and in groups is essential.
• Publications are not expected or required for admission, but any can be listed on the CV.

Further guidance

• It is essential to apply as early as possible and to submit all required materials by the advertised deadlines. 
• A number of the department's master’s students apply to continue doctoral research both at the department and in other departments of the University. Entry requirements and deadlines will differ slightly in each department and details will be available on departmental websites.

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's  higher level . If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are detailed in the table below.

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides  further information about the English language test requirement .

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Supporting documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Performance at interview

Interviews are not normally held as part of the admissions process.  

How your application is assessed

Your application will be assessed purely on your proven and potential academic excellence and other entry requirements described under that heading.

References  and  supporting documents  submitted as part of your application, and your performance at interview (if interviews are held) will be considered as part of the assessment process. Whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed.

An overview of the shortlisting and selection process is provided below. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide  more information about how applications are assessed . 

Shortlisting and selection

Students are considered for shortlisting and selected for admission without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation, as well as other relevant circumstances including parental or caring responsibilities or social background. However, please note the following:

• socio-economic information may be taken into account in the selection of applicants and award of scholarships for courses that are part of  the University’s pilot selection procedure  and for  scholarships aimed at under-represented groups ;
• country of ordinary residence may be taken into account in the awarding of certain scholarships; and
• protected characteristics may be taken into account during shortlisting for interview or the award of scholarships where the University has approved a positive action case under the Equality Act 2010.

Processing your data for shortlisting and selection

Information about  processing special category data for the purposes of positive action  and  using your data to assess your eligibility for funding , can be found in our Postgraduate Applicant Privacy Policy.

Admissions panels and assessors

All recommendations to admit a student involve the judgement of at least two members of the academic staff with relevant experience and expertise, and must also be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Admissions Committee (or equivalent within the department).

Admissions panels or committees will always include at least one member of academic staff who has undertaken appropriate training.

Other factors governing whether places can be offered

The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:

• the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the  About  section of this page;
• the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
• minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.

Offer conditions for successful applications

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about offers and conditions . 

In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a  Financial Declaration  in order to meet your financial condition of admission.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any  relevant, unspent criminal convictions  before you can take up a place at Oxford.

The Oxford Department of International Development (ODID) is one of the world’s leading centres for research and teaching in development studies. 

The department is known for its frontier research on economic growth and instability, trade and investment, poverty and inequality, insecurity and conflict, the history of social and political change, migration and refugees, global governance and the environment, children and human development and technology and industrialisation.

It hosts some 70 outstanding academics and houses several externally funded research groups that are at the forefront of their specialist fields. As part of a global epistemic community, the department aims to generate ideas that set agendas for scholars, governments, international agencies and civil society.

As an MPhil student you will be able to attend the wide range of public seminars organised by the department and the individual research groups. Beyond the department, Oxford offers access to a large number of events including seminars and lectures by distinguished academics and policy-makers in related fields.

The  Social Sciences Library , the largest freestanding social science library in the UK, with considerable print and digital strengths in development studies and a specialist librarian, is nearby. This is complemented by the world-class resources of the Bodleian Library and the satellite libraries. As alumni of the University, students can sign up for lifetime access to key online journals.

The department provides hot-desking areas with desktops and printing, as well as wireless internet access. Technical support is available through the department, your college and the University’s  IT Services , which also offers training courses. Course materials are available online via Canvas, the University’s Virtual Learning Environment.

Department facilities

Teaching takes place in the department’s seminar rooms, and there is a common room area where students from all the department's courses can gather. Lunches in the cafeteria are available during term.

International Development

Studying international development at Oxford means engaging with some of the most pressing issues of our time: from global governance and security to migration and human rights; from poverty and inequality to technological innovation and enterprise; from children and youth to environmental change and sustainability.

At Oxford you will take a unique, multi- and interdisciplinary approach to examine these and other complex issues affecting the countries of the developing world and the emerging economies. The approach encompasses economics, politics, international relations, anthropology, history, sociology, and law, and teaching is provided by world-class scholars in these fields. Our courses also offer small class sizes, personal supervision, training in methods, and the opportunity to research and write an original thesis and make an active contribution.

The department is a lively community that is recognised internationally as one of the top centres for research and teaching in development studies. It hosts some 70 distinguished academics and a number of externally funded research groups that are at the forefront of their specialist subject areas.

Our students come from across the world. At Oxford, they are taught to develop as critical and independent thinkers and when they leave us they go on to forge varied and successful careers as scholars, practitioners and policy-makers in the field of international development and beyond.

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The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25. You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships , if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential. 

For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit our dedicated Funding pages, which contain information about how to apply for Oxford scholarships requiring an additional application, details of external funding, loan schemes and other funding sources.

Please ensure that you visit individual college websites for details of any college-specific funding opportunities using the links provided on our college pages or below:

Please note that not all the colleges listed above may accept students on this course. For details of those which do, please refer to the College preference section of this page.

Further information about funding opportunities for this course can be found on the department's website.

Annual fees for entry in 2024-25

Further details about fee status eligibility can be found on the fee status webpage.

Information about course fees

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding  section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Additional information

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees and living costs. However, as part of your course requirements, you will need to choose a dissertation, a project or a thesis topic. Unless there are any remaining restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most students will choose a topic which will require them to do fieldwork for their thesis. This fieldwork will be conducted during the long vacation between the first and second year. Students should note that they will have to meet all costs of fieldwork themselves and these costs are likely to include travel and related costs such as visas, accommodation, subsistence, translation and research assistant services if required. These costs will vary according to the location and length of the fieldwork and the department estimates that these costs may range from £1,500 to £20,000 or more. Each MPhil student is able to apply for a fieldwork grant of £700. This is awarded once only usually at the end of Trinity Term of their first year, before they go to the field during the summer vacation. Further information will be provided in the course handbook. You may also be able to apply for small grants from your college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Living costs

In addition to your course fees, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the range of likely living costs for full-time study is between c. £1,345 and £1,955 for each month spent in Oxford. Full information, including a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs, is available on our living costs page. The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. When planning your finances for any future years of study in Oxford beyond 2024-25, it is suggested that you allow for potential increases in living expenses of around 5% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. UK inflationary increases will be kept under review and this page updated.

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs). 

If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief  introduction to the college system at Oxford  and our  advice about expressing a college preference . For some courses, the department may have provided some additional advice below to help you decide.

The following colleges accept students on the MPhil in Development Studies:

• Balliol College
• Blackfriars
• Brasenose College
• Campion Hall
• Exeter College
• Green Templeton College
• Harris Manchester College
• Jesus College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Magdalen College
• Pembroke College
• Regent's Park College
• Reuben College
• St Anne's College
• St Antony's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Edmund Hall
• Somerville College
• Trinity College
• Wolfson College
• Wycliffe Hall

Before you apply

Our  guide to getting started  provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

If it's important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under a December or January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the  information about deadlines and when to apply  in our Application Guide.

Application fee waivers

An application fee of £75 is payable per course application. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

• applicants from low-income countries;
• refugees and displaced persons; 
• UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and 
• applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

You are encouraged to  check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver  before you apply.

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

You do not need to make contact with the department before you apply but you are encouraged to visit the relevant departmental webpages to read any further information about your chosen course.

New MPhil students will be informed about their supervisor during their induction sessions.

Completing your application

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents .

For this course, the application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document. If a separate CV/résumé is uploaded, it will be removed from your application .

If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.

Referees: Three overall, at least two must be academic

Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.

Statement of purpose/personal statement: A minimum of 500 words to a maximum of 750 words

You will need to provide a statement of purpose, written in English.

You must state in what way you believe the MPhil might contribute to your career development plans. You must also indicate an awareness of the structure of the degree, for example by stating the foundation courses you might take in the first year, and the options which might be of interest to you in the second year. You should also indicate, very briefly, what your thesis topic might be.

The MPhil in Development Studies is a broad-ranging inter- and multi-disciplinary programme. We do not expect our students already to have covered the disciplinary and theoretical range offered, but a curious and receptive stance towards new ideas is key. Successful students are intellectually flexible and prepared to step outside their comfort zones in terms of approaches and perspectives. The programme is also distinguished by theoretical rigour alongside a substantial emphasis on original research. Your personal statement should demonstrate that you have the required aptitude for a demanding programme and that you are a good fit for it. It should also show how any relevant experience beyond your studies would enrich an intellectually diverse and exciting cohort.

If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

This will be assessed for your reasons for applying, evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study and the course applied to, as well as commitment to the subject and evidence of a defined set of research interests.

It will be normal for your ideas subsequently to change in some ways as you investigate the evidence and develop your project. You should nevertheless make the best effort you can to demonstrate the extent of your research question, sources and method at this moment.

Written work: Either one or two essays, a maximum of 4,000 words overall

The total word limit for your writing sample is 4,000 words. You may choose to submit one longer piece of work or two shorter pieces within this word limit. Submitted work should demonstrate an ability to write high-quality scholarly essays in an inter- and multi-disciplinary programme centred on the social sciences. Extracts from longer pieces of work are acceptable, but if two writing samples are submitted they should not come from the same longer piece of work. An extract should be prefaced by a note that puts it in context.

This will be assessed for a comprehensive understanding of the subject area; understanding of problems in the area; ability to construct and defend an argument; and powers of analysis and expression.

Instructions for submitting one long piece of work instead of two short pieces

To submit one longer piece of work in your application instead of two shorter pieces, you should upload this document in the first 'Written work' slot on the 'Supporting Documents' tab of the Application Form. In the second 'Written work' slot, you should upload a PDF document with the following statement:

' I have included one long essay in lieu of two short essays. I have checked the course page to confirm this is permitted for this course. '

Please note that multi-authored works are not acceptable. The word count does not need to include any bibliography or brief footnotes.

Start or continue your application

You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please  refer to the requirements above  and  consult our Application Guide for advice . You'll find the answers to most common queries in our FAQs.

Application Guide   Apply

ADMISSION STATUS

Closed to applications for entry in 2024-25

Register to be notified via email when the next application cycle opens (for entry in 2025-26)

12:00 midday UK time on:

Friday 10 November 2023 Applications more likely to receive earlier decisions

Friday 19 January 2024 Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships Final application deadline for entry in 2024-25

*Three-year average (applications for entry in 2021-22 to 2023-24)

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered by the  Oxford Department of International Development (ODID)

• Course page  on the department's website
• Funding information  from the department
• Academic and research staff
• Departmental research
• Social Sciences Division
• Residence requirements for full-time courses
• Postgraduate applicant privacy policy

Course-related enquiries

Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page

✉ [email protected] ☎ +44 (0)1865 281827

Application-process enquiries

See the application guide

Other courses to consider

You may also wish to consider applying to other courses that are similar or related to this course:

View related courses

/images/cornell/logo35pt_cornell_white.svg" alt="thesis in development studies"> Cornell University --> Graduate School

Development studies, field description.

Our doctoral program in Development Studies focuses on ‘development,’ a central and contested concept that gained prominence after World War II, which implies progressive change towards improving economies and people’s well-being while conserving nature at local, regional, and global scales. Faculty and graduate students in the field of Development Studies study processes of social, cultural, ecological, economic, and political change, and the historical and contemporary forces that shape those dynamics. They also study the organizations and actors that engage in development-related processes and the practices, knowledge, and forms of expertise they bring to bear on their work.

An interdisciplinary field, Development Studies draws from a wide range of disciplines, including sociology, economics, political science, human geography, anthropology, history, Indigenous and postcolonial studies, and the natural and technical sciences. Our doctoral students study in a range of contexts, some working directly with communities around the globe, others exploring large data sets or studying institutions as they seek to understand the complexities behind development and its impacts on people and the planet.

The program offers preparation for research, for the application of social sciences in government positions, the non-profit sector, consulting, and think tanks, and for college teaching in development studies and related fields. For the Ph.D. degree, students are expected to demonstrate (1) a thorough knowledge of social theory in development studies, with special emphasis on theories in their major concentration, (2) knowledge of previous and current research pertinent to the concentration, and (3) knowledge of multiple research methods, including qualitative and quantitative, with special emphasis on research design, data collection, and analytical techniques relevant to study in the concentration.

Students are admitted into the Ph.D. program. If they do not have a M.S. degree in Development Studies or a related discipline, they will complete a qualifying paper or M.S. thesis as part of their training.

Research and study opportunities Faculty in the field rely on a wide range of domestic and international funding to support research and graduate students. Graduate students also successfully apply for a wide range of internal and external grants for their fieldwork, such as the Wenner Gren fellowship, National Science Foundation and Fulbright fellowships.   Students and faculty members are actively conducting research around the globe, both in the United States and elsewhere. Although some doctoral dissertations are based on field-collected data, other candidates rely on rich secondary-data resources, working closely with the Cornell Institute for Social and Economic Research (CISER) and the various libraries on campus. Faculty members also participate in other fields such as Natural Resources, City and Regional Planning, Anthropology, Crop and Soil Sciences, in the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies, and in the area studies programs for Africa, Latin America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Several of those programs have supported dissertation research overseas. The department is also home to the  Polson Institute for Global Development , which funds assorted working group research initiatives in the U.S. and abroad.

Contact Information

Mann Library B75 Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853

Data and Statistics

• Doctoral Program Statistics

Field Manual

Subject and degrees, development sociology.

• Development Sociology (Ph.D.) (Ithaca)

Concentrations by Subject

• development sociology (minor)
• methods of social research (minor)
• population and development
• rural and environmental sociology
• state, economy, and society

Victoria Beard

• Campus: Ithaca
• Concentrations: Development Sociology: development sociology; rural and environmental sociology
• Research Interests: comparative urbanization, poverty and inequality, collective action, community development, infrastructure access, water and sanitation infrastructure

Sarah Besky

• Concentrations: Development Sociology: rural and environmental sociology; state, economy, and society
• Research Interests: agrarian studies; gender and work; South Asia

Rachel Bezner Kerr

• Concentrations: Development Sociology: development sociology; methods of social research; rural and environmental sociology

Parfait M Eloundou-Enyegue

• Concentrations: Development Sociology: development sociology; methods of social research; population and development; state, economy, and society
• Research Interests: population and development; sociology of education; demography of inequality and social change

Elias Friedman

• Concentrations: Development Sociology: state, economy, and society
• Research Interests: Social movements, globalization, development, political sociology, work, and theory

Sarah Carissa Giroux

• Campus: Ithaca - (Divisional Member)
• Concentrations: Development Sociology: population and development
• Research Interests: Methods of Social Research. Population and Development, Demography

Jenny Elaine Goldstein

• Research Interests: political ecology; critical development studies; ecological history; science and technology studies; food and agriculture; Southeast Asia

Mario Herrero Acosta

• Concentrations: Development Sociology: rural and environmental sociology
• Research Interests: Food systems, sustainability, environmental analysis, global change, scenarios, climate mitigation and adaptation, multi-scale methods for systems analysis, systems evolution and transitions, role of innovation in development

Thomas A Hirschl

• Research Interests: social stratification; research methods and statistics; state and local demography

Tristan Ivory

• Research Interests: International Migration Labor and Employment Relations Race and Ethnicity Social Mobility Stratification and Inequality Global and Transnational Sociology Demography Comparative and Historical Sociology Qualitative Methods Africana Studies

Neema Kudva

• Research Interests: Community-based planning and development, Infrastructure and International planning, Social policy, Sustainability, Mobility

Lori Leonard

• Concentrations: Development Sociology: methods of social research; state, economy, and society
• Research Interests: Lori Leonard has a background in public health, and her work focuses on issues in medical sociology, gender studies, and the anthropology of policy. She is interested in the ways policies, planned improvement projects, changes in the natural world, and human responses to these events shape social and cultural life
• Concentrations: Development Sociology: methods of social research; rural and environmental sociology; state, economy, and society
• Research Interests: Sustainability; food systems; spatial data science; human-environment systems

Fouad M. Makki

• Concentrations: Development Sociology: development sociology; methods of social research; state, economy, and society
• Research Interests: sociology of development; classical and contemporary social theory; international political economy; historical sociology of modernity

Scott J Peters

• Research Interests: sustainable and community development; civic professionalism

Sharon L. Sassler

• Concentrations: Development Sociology: development sociology; population and development
• Research Interests: social demography; union formation (marriage, cohabitation); immigrant adaptation; racial and ethnic differentiation; young adult transitions

John W. Sipple

• Concentrations: Development Sociology: development sociology; methods of social research; population and development; rural and environmental sociology
• Research Interests: sociology of education, rural studies, inequality studies

Richard C. Stedman

• Research Interests: linkages between social and ecological systems; natural resource and community interactions; natural resources; environmental sociology

Mildred Elaine Warner

• Concentrations: Development Sociology: development sociology; state, economy, and society
• Research Interests: community development, economic development, state and local government policy

Marina A. Welker

• Research Interests: International development, corporations, tobacco, extractive industries, Southeast Asia

Steven A Wolf

• Concentrations: Development Sociology: development sociology; rural and environmental sociology; state, economy, and society
• Research Interests: environmental and natural resource sociology; environmental governance; multifunctional agricultural and forest development; institutional analysis of innovation

Wendy W. Wolford

• Concentrations: Development Sociology: development sociology; methods of social research; rural and environmental sociology; state, economy, and society
• Research Interests: political economy of development; social and economic geography; political ecology; land tenure; agrarian studies

John Aloysius Zinda

• Research Interests: Environmental Sociology, Development and Globalization, Contemporary China, Rural Livelihoods, Community, Agriculture, Land Use Change, Qualitative Methods, Spatial Data Analysis, Mixed Methods

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Browsing Theses and Dissertations (Development Studies) by Type "Thesis"

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• Challenges and opportunities of development in Ethiopia through urban-rural economic linkages (URELs)  Berhanu Zeleke Gobaw ( 2016-07 ) The transformation of rural people and land to urban land and culture is a natural discourse and inevitable process. In the process, more than half of the current world population are living in urban centres. The number ...
• Challenges and prospects of small enterprises in Ethiopia : a study of entrepreneurs in Tigray Region  Mesfin Seyoum Kebede ( 2015-10 ) The small enterprise has become a major sphere of interest for policy makers and donors. Despite the institutional and policy support, these enterprises have fallen short of expectations. This study is intended to fill the ...
• Civil society organisations and societal transformation in Africa : the case of Ethiopia  Feleke Tadele ( 2015-05 ) This thesis is concerned with civil society organisations (CSOs) and the challenges of facilitating sustainable societal transformation in Africa, focusing on the case of Ethiopia. The thesis underlines the fact that the ...
• Climate change adaptation for sustenance of rural livelihoods in Jotsholo, Lupane District, Zimbabwe  Svodziwa, Mathew ( 2022-01-31 ) Climate change is a serious challenge on a global and local scale, with severe consequences for rural livelihoods sustainability and socioeconomic well-being. The study's major objective was to examine how rural ...
• Climate change, adaptation and livelihood changes in the Lake Tana Basin: implications for food security and poverty  Anega, Naod Mekonnen ( 2023-07 ) The main objective of the thesis is to examine the effect of climate change and adaptation on livelihood pattern and the concomitant implications for poverty and food security. The thesis uses a mixed-method research ...
• Climate change, pastoral livelihood vulnerability and adaptation strategies : a case study of Sitti zone, Somali Regional state in eastern Ethiopia  Zigale, Tamir Tenaw ( 2021-12 ) Despite recognising perception as one of the most important factors in the study of climate change and variability, the link between pastoralists’ perceptions, livelihood vulnerability and adaptation strategies to climate ...
• Community empowerment and sustainable livelihoods : transforming social capital into entrepreneurship in rural Southern Ethiopia  Tefera Talore Abiche ( 2012-11 ) The past decades witnessed that neither the private sector nor the government could provide an adequate socio-economic safety net for the poorest of the poor in the Third World. The community-based self-help approaches ...
• Community group environment for people participation and empowerment  Diale, Nkgodi Race ( 2009-11 ) This study explores participatory development methods which may be engaged with a smaller community interest group to create an environment conducive to free and effective participation towards empowering more participants ...
• A conceptualisation and analysis of the community investment programme with reference to South African case studies : towards a new model  Geerts, Sofie ( 2014-07-03 ) This thesis describes the Community Investment Programme (CIP) and investigates its practicability in three pilot projects in South Africa where it was implemented. CIP is a community development programme that was ...
• The contributions and challenges of civil society in development and governance in context of the post 1991 developmental state of Ethiopia  Zigiji Samuel Beyene ( 2023-06 ) The primary objective of this study was to analyse the contributions and challenges of civil society in governance and development and state-civil society relations in the context of post-1991 contemporary Ethiopia. To ...
• The contributions and challenges of civil society in development and governance in context of the post-1991 developmental state of Ethiopia  Zigiju Samuel Beyene ( 2023-06 ) The primary objective of this study was to analyse the contributions and challenges of civil society in governance and development and state-civil society relations in context of the post-1991 contemporary Ethiopia. To ...
• The contributuion of the community arts centre to capital building for socio-economic development in South Africa  Hagg, Gerard ( 2009-08-25 ) The concepts "capital building" and 'Institutionalisation" are analysed and applied to community arts centres as instruments for socio-economic development (SED) in South Africa. Theories of neo-classicism, Marxism, ...
• Coping mechanisms of food insecure households in urban Ethiopia  Tilahun Girma Argaw ( 2019-01 ) With an increasing rate of urbanisation in East Africa, and with the highest prevalence rate of undernourished population than any region in the developing world, the issue of food access insecurity in urban areas has ...
• A critical study of the political identity and ideology of the Economic Freedom Fighters  Majavu, Pumlani ( 2021-05 ) This thesis is a critical engagement with the political identity and ideology of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) as a political formation in post-apartheid South Africa. Using the concept of ‘thin ideologies’ developed ...
• Das erste Paar und die postmoderne Studie zur ursprünglichen Beziehung und Abhängigkeit der Geschlechter in der Lebenswelt der Gegenwart  Bee, Jacqueline ( 2009-08-25 ) Am Beginn der Menschheit steht das von Gott erschaffene Paar, in der Postmo­ derne ist es das aufgeklarte, autonome Individuum. Eine Diskrepanz zwischen ursprunglicher Schopfungsintention und der postmodernen Lebenswelt ...
• The design of a micro-finance programme in San communities in Western Botswana  Dekker, Reinder Albertus ( 2009-08-25 ) The objective of this thesis is to examine the need for people and communities to develop liquid assets through a savings programme and to work productively with these savings. It had to be taken into consideration that ...
• Development perspective on policy management  De Coning, Christo Bierman ( 1995-11 ) Momentous choices and opportunities have opened up in South Africa since a settlement was successfully negotiated and a new political and constitutional dispensation was created. Events such as the constitutional ...
• Development, children and the third world city : conceptualizing guidelines towards a sustainable livelihood framework supporting children  Paul, James Roopkumar ( 2010-11 )
• Developmental local government as a catalyst or an impediment towards a South African developmental state  Mohale, David Matheakuena ( 2017-06 ) South African authorities formalised their goal to pursue a developmental state with the adoption of the National Development Plan (NDP) in 2012. It is clear from the reading of the NDP that the authorities are convinced ...
• Die voedselparadoks : 'n ondersoek na vraagstukke rondom voedselsekuriteit in Suid-Afrika  Kotzé, Derica Alba ( 1999-11 ) Miljoene mense ervaar voedselonsekerheid en een uit elke 50 hanger mense is woonagtig in Suid­ Afrika. Daar is genoeg voedsel op ons planeet om elke mens van 'n voldoende voorraad voedsel te verseker; dit waarborg egter ...

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An investigation into the attraction, retention, and engagement of women in higher educational institutions in selected universities in South Africa 

A conceptual framework for effective local integration of refugees in South Africa: case study of the Western Cape province 

What does the digital revolution mean for poverty alleviation and inclusive growth in Africa? A case study of Ghana and South Africa 

Socio-economic effects of the migration policy on foreigners in South Africa 

Strengthening the social contract between government and social grant recipients: a case study of the older person's grant and the child support grant in the Cape Winelands and Overberg districts 

The potential for complementarity between formal and informal social protection programmes in Kenya: A case study 

Child Protection Responses and Transformative Social Protection in Kenya and South Africa: Can social grants improve the wellbeing of children affected by violence and neglect? 

Political affiliation, collective agency and structural opportunities for lumley market women in Sierra Leone 

Purification and biophysical properties of tomato spotted wilt virus 

The cost of gaps in existing food price-stabilizing market policies in urban areas for poor women and their families: the case of Addis Ababa 

Spaces of participation: A critical analysis of participation in housing projects in Whittlesea, Eastern Cape 

The cost of gaps in existing food price-stabilizing market policies in urban areas for poor women and their families: The case of Addis Ababa 

Employer concerns with the quality of the skills and knowledge of recently employed graduates in South Africa: Description, analysis and implications for tertiary education, public policy and practice 

The impact of expanded public works programme (EPWP) on food security in South Africa 

Exploring the determinants of conventional and participatory monitoring and evaluation: A case study of world vision Ethiopia (wve) 

The effect of government facilitated ICT access interventions on the well-being of marginalised communities in the Overberg District, South Africa 

Service delivery protests and the struggle for urban development in Gugulethu and Khayelitsha, Cape Town 

Community activism and social change of the urban poor in the western cape: Advocating for sustainable sanitation in Cape Town’s informal settlements 

An assessment of the academic literacy (al) modules offered at the University of the Western Cape: Towards an embedded hybrid academic literacies model 

Youth agricultural entrepreneurship as a vehicle for employment creation in Nigeria: A capability approach 

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Phd in development studies.

Development Studies is a multidisciplinary programme whose teaching, research and practice are continually evolving in tandem with change processes in society. The Institute for Development Studies (IDS) PhD programme addresses contemporary development issues using appropriate theories and methodological approaches. The philosophy of the programme is to equip candidates with the skills and knowledge required for a career in academia or consultancy in the field of development. Its objective is to empower candidates with the analytical and conceptual skills needed to understand the opportunities and challenges of development.

A candidate registered for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies shall carry out a programme of original research over a minimum period of 18 months after the date of registration or after completion of any required coursework and/or examination. No candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies shall be registered as a full-time student for more than four years or as a part-time student for more than five years, except by permission of the Senate. Subject to the approval of the Senate, IDS may require candidates to attend such a course or courses as may be considered appropriate to remedy deficiencies in the candidate. 

The PhD. Programme in Development Studies shall be conducted by research and thesis.

The following shall be eligible to apply for registration for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies.

•  A holder of a Master’s degree in Development Studies or any other social science discipline from the University of Nairobi;
• A holder of a Master’s degree in any other discipline from the University of Nairobi, who provides evidence of social science-based study, research or publications;
• A holder of a Master’s degree or equivalent academic qualifications from other institutions recognized y the University of Nairobi Senate as of comparable status.

Applications are processed throughout the year.

The applicant writes a letter of application to the Director, IDS, attaching a pre-proposal, full curriculum vitae, and transcripts of undergraduate and postgraduate study.

The IDS PhD Co-ordinator assesses the submission for the suitability of the topic to IDS, the quality of the pre-proposal, and the applicant’s preparation for PhD study.  In some case, the pre-proposal is given to senior academic staff in the relevant field/subject area for further review.

If the decision is positive, the applicant is assigned a senior academic to work with to produce a full proposal within a period of not more than six months.

After the assigned academic advisor is satisfied with the proposal, the applicant makes a formal presentation in an IDS PhD seminar.  Based on the seminar, the IDS Postgraduate Studies Committee determines whether the applicant should be recommended for registration as a PhD student at the University of Nairobi.

The applicant may be required to make further revisions to the proposal before registration.  Registration takes place through the University of Nairobi's Graduate School.

The Graduate School notifies each applicant in writing of its action and the application.

After receipt of the Graduate School's registration, IDS assigns two thesis supervisors, at least one of whom will be an IDS staff member.

A prospective applicant will seek admission, by a formal application to the Director, Institute for Development Studies (IDS), indicating intent of joining the doctoral programme, The application will consit of the following;

1. A letter to the Director, IDS, stating desire to apply to the programme.

2. A pre-proposal outlining the proposed doctoral research (not more than 8 pages). 

3. Curriculum Vitae. 

Pre-proposal 

The pre-proposal should be no more than 2,500 words and should include the following sections:

(a) Introduction/background; (b) Problem Statement; (c) Research Question and/or Hypotheses; (d) Objectives of the Study; (e) Justification of the Study; (f) Methodology; and (g) References. 

Letters of two referees, at least one of which must be from an academic referee able to asses the applicant's potential for doctoral study. 

Pre-proposal Review

IDS will review the pre-proposal to determine its academic suitability and quality. 

Graduate Seminar 

Within three months of the the acceptance of the pre-proposal, the prospective applicant will be required to present a complete proposal to an IDS graduate seminar where review comments will be communicated.

The prospective applicant will be expected to respond to comments received from the seminar, both orally and in writing. The applicant should consult the IDS staff member in revising the proposal. 

Graduate School Clearance

After addressing the review comments, the prospective applicant will be cleared by IDS to make a formal application to the Graduate School of the University of Nairobi for admission to the doctoral programme. 

Year 1 Kshs 272,000 

Year 2 Kshs 267,000 

Year 3 Kshs 317,000  

Other charges include an application fee of Kshs. 5,000. 

During their studies, most PhD candidates are attached to an IDS research project or working in a sponsoring organisation.

Our graduates who are not already engaged go on to work with the private sector, civil society organisations and public sectors in Kenya and beyond. They are working to address emerging issues that have implications for development in various capacities including:

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Think of yourself as a member of a jury, listening to a lawyer who is presenting an opening argument. You'll want to know very soon whether the lawyer believes the accused to be guilty or not guilty, and how the lawyer plans to convince you. Readers of academic essays are like jury members: before they have read too far, they want to know what the essay argues as well as how the writer plans to make the argument. After reading your thesis statement, the reader should think, "This essay is going to try to convince me of something. I'm not convinced yet, but I'm interested to see how I might be."

An effective thesis cannot be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." A thesis is not a topic; nor is it a fact; nor is it an opinion. "Reasons for the fall of communism" is a topic. "Communism collapsed in Eastern Europe" is a fact known by educated people. "The fall of communism is the best thing that ever happened in Europe" is an opinion. (Superlatives like "the best" almost always lead to trouble. It's impossible to weigh every "thing" that ever happened in Europe. And what about the fall of Hitler? Couldn't that be "the best thing"?)

A good thesis has two parts. It should tell what you plan to argue, and it should "telegraph" how you plan to argue—that is, what particular support for your claim is going where in your essay.

Steps in Constructing a Thesis

First, analyze your primary sources.  Look for tension, interest, ambiguity, controversy, and/or complication. Does the author contradict himself or herself? Is a point made and later reversed? What are the deeper implications of the author's argument? Figuring out the why to one or more of these questions, or to related questions, will put you on the path to developing a working thesis. (Without the why, you probably have only come up with an observation—that there are, for instance, many different metaphors in such-and-such a poem—which is not a thesis.)

Once you have a working thesis, write it down.  There is nothing as frustrating as hitting on a great idea for a thesis, then forgetting it when you lose concentration. And by writing down your thesis you will be forced to think of it clearly, logically, and concisely. You probably will not be able to write out a final-draft version of your thesis the first time you try, but you'll get yourself on the right track by writing down what you have.

Keep your thesis prominent in your introduction.  A good, standard place for your thesis statement is at the end of an introductory paragraph, especially in shorter (5-15 page) essays. Readers are used to finding theses there, so they automatically pay more attention when they read the last sentence of your introduction. Although this is not required in all academic essays, it is a good rule of thumb.

Anticipate the counterarguments.  Once you have a working thesis, you should think about what might be said against it. This will help you to refine your thesis, and it will also make you think of the arguments that you'll need to refute later on in your essay. (Every argument has a counterargument. If yours doesn't, then it's not an argument—it may be a fact, or an opinion, but it is not an argument.)

This statement is on its way to being a thesis. However, it is too easy to imagine possible counterarguments. For example, a political observer might believe that Dukakis lost because he suffered from a "soft-on-crime" image. If you complicate your thesis by anticipating the counterargument, you'll strengthen your argument, as shown in the sentence below.

Some Caveats and Some Examples

A thesis is never a question.  Readers of academic essays expect to have questions discussed, explored, or even answered. A question ("Why did communism collapse in Eastern Europe?") is not an argument, and without an argument, a thesis is dead in the water.

A thesis is never a list.  "For political, economic, social and cultural reasons, communism collapsed in Eastern Europe" does a good job of "telegraphing" the reader what to expect in the essay—a section about political reasons, a section about economic reasons, a section about social reasons, and a section about cultural reasons. However, political, economic, social and cultural reasons are pretty much the only possible reasons why communism could collapse. This sentence lacks tension and doesn't advance an argument. Everyone knows that politics, economics, and culture are important.

A thesis should never be vague, combative or confrontational.  An ineffective thesis would be, "Communism collapsed in Eastern Europe because communism is evil." This is hard to argue (evil from whose perspective? what does evil mean?) and it is likely to mark you as moralistic and judgmental rather than rational and thorough. It also may spark a defensive reaction from readers sympathetic to communism. If readers strongly disagree with you right off the bat, they may stop reading.

An effective thesis has a definable, arguable claim.  "While cultural forces contributed to the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe, the disintegration of economies played the key role in driving its decline" is an effective thesis sentence that "telegraphs," so that the reader expects the essay to have a section about cultural forces and another about the disintegration of economies. This thesis makes a definite, arguable claim: that the disintegration of economies played a more important role than cultural forces in defeating communism in Eastern Europe. The reader would react to this statement by thinking, "Perhaps what the author says is true, but I am not convinced. I want to read further to see how the author argues this claim."

A thesis should be as clear and specific as possible.  Avoid overused, general terms and abstractions. For example, "Communism collapsed in Eastern Europe because of the ruling elite's inability to address the economic concerns of the people" is more powerful than "Communism collapsed due to societal discontent."

Copyright 1999, Maxine Rodburg and The Tutors of the Writing Center at Harvard University

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54 Best Development Studies Dissertation Topics Ideas & Samples

Are you looking for research proposal topics on development studies? We’ve got this range of development studies dissertation topics that can help in carrying out your research logically. The list is prepared after thorough research on the emerging trends and the approaches that have influenced development studies. These topics can aid you in covering up […]

Are you looking for research proposal topics on development studies? We’ve got this range of development studies dissertation topics that can help in carrying out your research logically. The list is prepared after thorough research on the emerging trends and the approaches that have influenced development studies. These topics can aid you in covering up your undergrad and master’s degree in the field of tourism , advertising , marketing , or digital marketing .

Best Development Studies Dissertation Topics for Masters and Undergraduate Students

Here is the list of best Development studies dissertation topics for college students:

• To study the relationship between education and success – a survey analysis
• To analyze the waste management program to improve the living standard.
• Impact of social media in the development of Human rights.
• To study the impact of Agriculture on women empowerment.
• To analyze the evolution of social media and how it has influenced socialization.
• To explore the development of digital marketing and how it has influenced overall business development.
• The development in tourism and its impact on the countries that attract tourists.
• To evaluate the development changes in gender policies.
• What do you understand by community development?
• What are the effects of socio-economic infrastructure on Rural development?
• What are the latest developments in the Agriculture field?
• How do you the change in the development of the education system effective for students?
• How is Agriculture development affecting economic growth?
• The development of gender equality in the education field.
• What is the latest development in the role of women?
• To analyze the development in Human rights.
• Evaluating the new business strategies.
• To explore the Geographical developments and how it has influenced the areas of land.
• To study the evolution of disaster risk management.
• What is the difference between old and developed architecture?
• To study the latest changes in the human resource field.
• To study the role of mediators in financial disputes between nations.
• How does cultural awareness help you close the deals?
• To examine the challenges faced by companies in enforcing international patent laws.
• To study the need for management to measure sustainable development in rich countries.
• To explore the causes and impacts of political stress on the development of nations.
• To examine the role of SMEs in community development.
• How does technological innovation shape the labor market in emerging economies?
• To build International institutions for environmental protection.
• To analyze the development in the field of computer science.
• To analyze innovative science studies – a literature review.
• Impact of Covis’19 in developing countries.
• The effects of Covid’19 on the whole world.
• What was the reason behind covid’19?
• The new studies related to Covid’19 .
• To study the Era of global development – a literature review.
• To carry out a study to analyze the act of unionization in nations.
• An analysis of the effects of explaining international intelligence corporation.
• To study the development of entrepreneurship policy.
• Impact of foreign investment in developing countries.
• To promote peace developing ideas in countries to provide people with a good life.
• To analyze the development in the lifestyle of people.
• What is the impact of promoting Human rights, and how does it provide people with different opportunities?
• What are the developing strategies for good meal consumption?
• How do promote multicultural business partnerships?
• To evaluate the business development opportunities for multinational businesses.
• To study the stress in International marketing and how it contributed to the growth of businesses in the global market.
• What are the effects of HIV and Aids in developing countries?
• How do you explain the economic policy in developing countries?
• What are the new business strategies?

Above is the best-selected development studies dissertation topics list pick any one of your choices and start dissertation writing.

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Home » Blog » Dissertation » Topics » Development Studies » Development Studies Dissertation Topics (26 Examples) For Research

Development Studies Dissertation Topics (26 Examples) For Research

Mark Jun 14, 2020 Jun 13, 2020 Development Studies No Comments

We understand that finding and selecting the right dissertation topic according to your interest is very challenging. So, we have prepared a list of development studies dissertation topics for your project, research, and dissertations. The development studies research topics are prepared by including all the relevant and highly interesting topics. We have a team of […]

We understand that finding and selecting the right dissertation topic according to your interest is very challenging. So, we have prepared a list of development studies dissertation topics for your project, research, and dissertations. The development studies research topics are prepared by including all the relevant and highly interesting topics.

We have a team of experienced researchers that can help you in completing your research and writing. You can select any topic on development studies for your dissertation project according to your area of interest and we can offer help in developing your proposal and dissertation.

List of Development Studies dissertation topics

An analysis of the importance of developing peace maintenance studies and economic reforms in countries.

Investigating the importance of foreign investment in developing countries.

How the challenging and changing environmental conditions are affecting the development of humans.

Studying the importance of improving livelihood by addressing conflicts in different regions in Asian countries.

Exploring the waste management programs in an area towards improved living standards.

Studying the impact of agriculture on women development in developing countries.

How can the government develop strategies in eliminating planning problems and food insecurity?

Examining the relationship between promoting human rights and development of nations.

A literature review of the scope of setting up small and medium enterprises in developing countries.

Analysing the areas for service innovation that can contribute to multicultural business partnerships.

Evaluating the business strategies and globalisation.

To study the business development opportunities for multinationals across the national borders/

Investigating the international manager and stress in the international environment.

A review of the coping mechanisms of city residents in the water supply breakdown.

Examining the current interventions to gender-based violence in developing countries.

An overview of the effectiveness of disaster risk reduction framework.

Exploring resilience in disaster management by focusing on the impact of poverty on disaster risk reduction.

A review of the challenging conditions under which the low-income Mexicans live their lives.

A closer analysis of the attempts of developing countries to revive its village economy.

An evaluation of the effects of HIV/Aids on the economy of developing countries.

A comparative review of the economic effects of refugee return.

Exploring the world’s economic situation and opportunities for growth and development.

An analysis of the geography of development.

A review of human development based on recent progress and future prospects.

Studying human development, economic policy and income equity in developing countries.

An analysis of the modified human development index and poverty in underdeveloped countries.

Topic With Mini-Proposal (Paid Service)

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Development Studies Association » News & Events » Development Studies Association » DSA PhD Thesis Prize 2024 winners

DSA PhD Thesis Prize 2024 winners

Francesca Chiu is the winner of the DSA PhD Thesis Prize for 2024 and Anna Colom Miras was highly commended. Read more to find out about both theses.

Francesca Chiu from the School of Global Development at the University of East Anglia has won the 2024 DSA Thesis Prize for her thesis entitled “Transforming the Outskirts- Planning, Property and People in Urban Myanmar”.

Francesca’s thesis is an urban anthropology of how residents conceptualise and claim citizenship in transitional Myanmar. It explores the official history of urban planning, as well as residents’ practices and struggles in acquiring, maintaining, and building on land far from the city centre.

The judges commented that her thesis “argues that to comprehend the politics of urban citizenship and urban transformations in the context of Myanmar’s transition (which has continued to evolve significantly since the study was completed), we must look beyond central urban areas and instead concentrate on the practices of planning, property, and state-people interaction on the “outskirts”. The research is grounded in an extremely clear purpose, engaging with practices of planning, property, and state-people interaction in a place where, according to residents, “nothing happens here”.”

The judges noted that the thesis “offers a historical account of land use planning in Myanmar, and then delves into the stories of citizens, bringing into clear light their voices and experiences, and drawing on an impressive use of ethnographic methodology that evolved and adapted during the research process. It makes theoretical contributions around notions of citizenship, and how land ownership and use become a driving force for many citizens in achieving their life goals.”

Judges observed that “the thesis is distinctive as it gives voice to lived experiences, through a very well-crafted narrative, to those who view themselves as “ordinary”; whilst also giving us insights into experiences and understandings of citizenship that have been shaped by an iterative series of dynamics over time.”

The DSA thesis prize for PhD students working in the field of international development, development studies and development economics has been running annually since 2022 to award the best PhD thesis in these fields of studies from across current DSA Institutional Members.

Francesca will receive £350, plus the offer of full funding to attend DSA2024 to present her research in person.

Highly Commended

Anna Colom Miras, from the Development Policy and Practice department at the Open University was Highly Commended. Her thesis entitled “Citizenship capabilities and instant messaging in Western Kenya: an intersectional approach ” investigates the use of WhatsApp in Kenya in citizen engagement processes, through an intersectional feminist approach.

The thesis asks how digital technologies, in particular instant messaging services, mediate ideas and discussions around citizenship in Western Kenya; and how this interacts with inequalities and dynamics of power and oppression. Through this it asks questions of the assumed transformative potential of digital technologies, especially for women and other oppressed groups.

The judges were particularly impressed with the interesting discussion on digital ethnography, and the way in which the methodology for the research was considered and developed. They said the thesis offers some critical ideas and thinking about how to undertake research in the digital realm, including a strong discussion on ethical and positionality dimensions, as well as on engaging with “closed” social media platforms.

“The thesis provides a compelling argument, is based on rigorous research and analysis, and makes a strongly original contribution in debates and theories around digital technologies for development, ideas around citizenship, and intersectionalities and power,” the judges concluded.

• Read more about the PhD Thesis Prize.

The DSA is committed to supporting the development of students and early career researchers. Find out more  about what the DSA offers students and early career researchers on our website.

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Latest events and webinars, decolonising development studies and the africa charter for transformative research collaborations, dsa council member wins teaching award, global south study group south to south mentoring update, spotlight on: one world together, opportunities for study and research at the the university of edinburgh.

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This panel took place on March 25, 2024, from 10 am to 11 am. The panel aimed to provide graduate students with valuable perspectives on various aspects of academic life, including teaching methodologies, career paths, and navigating careers in higher education. Watch the recording of the panel presentation on the OGPS MediaSpace channel, accessible here.

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The 3-Minute Research Presentation (3MRP) Competition provides an opportunity for NAU graduate students to present their thesis, dissertation, capstone research, scholarship, and/or creative work to an intelligent, non-specialist audience in just three minutes. This professional development opportunity is designed to increase and improve graduate students’ communication skills, as well as their capacity to effectively present research, scholarship, or creative work.

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The Graduate Student Government Poster Symposium and Conference highlights a variety of programs, papers, projects, creative work, and research studies of the graduate students of NAU from all disciplines. The event provides an opportunity for students to introduce their research to those outside of their discipline, enhance their presentation skills, and represent their respective colleges.

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