Sussex has hosted Development Studies Week annually for the past few years. Featuring leading academics, alumni and current students providing an insight into Development Studies at Sussex and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS)
A sample of sessions that took place during Development Studies Week 2023.
With Sussex and IDS consistently ranked 1st in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024), Development Studies Week has continued to provide an exciting introduction to where and how we teach development and the top careers our graduates go onto.
Each School and IDS have previously provided daily online events introducing their disciplines, entry requirements, unique benefits and career prospects.
Sessions were hosted by a range of leading academics and featured former international students (alumni), who gave an overview of their careers and answer questions in webinars and interactive Instagram Live sessions.
View an archive of last years content below and check for information on sessions being held for Development Studies Week 2024 - a Career talk and some live masterclasses hosted by the School of Global Studies.
Programme of events
April 24, 1:00-2:00PM
A one hour masterclass delivered by Becky Prentice, Reader in Anthropology and International Development at the University of Sussex, on the topic of Global Poverty.
Developing solutions to global poverty requires that we understand its real causes. This masterclass confronts the awkward truth that despite best intentions, the institutions, structure and practices of ‘development’ can contribute to growing inequality, poverty, and marginalisation of communities in the global South. Understating how and why this is the case helps us devise inclusive and empowering anti-poverty approaches.
This session will allow for Q&A at the end so you can find out more about Poverty, Anthropology, Global Studies or studying here at Sussex.
May 1, 12:00-1:00PM
In this masterclass, lecturer Dr Suda Perera will consider what does it mean to Decolonise Development – by unpacking knowledge, power and identity and how we can unlearn the ways of thinking that result in the inadvertent reproduction of colonial oppression.
This masterclass will show how decolonising is not just a set of discrete actions (such as adding more voices from the Global South to reading lists, or DEI boards), but is rather an on-going process of changing structures and mindsets.With a specific focus on what it means to learn decolonially at Global Studies, the masterclass will talk through three elements of the process: decolonising the University, diversifying ways of learning, and demythologising academic orthodoxies.
April 30, 1:00-2:00PM
An online careers skills workshop about how you can get into the Development, Charities & Not-for-Profit sectors, was delivered by Helen Gorman (Careers Consultant) from the Careers and Entrepreneurship team. Learn about building relevant experience, growing your professional network and how to look and apply for vacancies
By the end of this session you will be able to
Slides from this session are available here.
This online webinar was hosted by Professor Anke Schwittay, Professor of Anthropology and International Development.
Alumni included: The pictured Jewel Bright from Nigeria, podcast producer at Channels Television in Nigeria; Sara Cuevas from Bolivia, Communications Officer for the Innovation and Knowledge Management Division at World Food Programme in Rome; Melalin Mahavongtrakul from Thailand, Comms and Campaign Coordinator for Save the Children.
Current international students were also present: Rwitoban Deb from India, Kate Anku-Tsede from Ghana and Unathi Mahlati from South Africa.
An online careers skills workshop about how you can get into the Development, Charities & Not-for-Profit sectors, was delivered by Helen Gorman (Careers Consultant) from the Careers and Entrepreneurship team. Learn about building relevant experience, growing your professional network and how to look and apply for vacancies
Slides from this session are available here.
This online sample lecture was lead by Yorgos Karagiannakis, Media and Film Lecturer, providing an overview of the practice elements of the course, including digital documentary, radio, podcasting and web design. It included examples from former students, such as Sara Cuevas (pictured).
This Instagram live interactive session was hosted by our Regional Officer, Louis Adekola, where any questions for professors, current international students including the pictured Rwitoban and Media Practice for Development and Social Change MA graduates were asked.
Sessions included students from the School of Media, Arts and Humanities:
The School offers the Media Practice for Development and Social Change MA course in collaboration with the School of Global Studies.
Find out more about the School of Media, Arts and Humanities.
Professor Gordon MacKerron from the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), alumni and current international students, gave an introduction to SPRU and the experiences of past and present students.
Alumni included: Chandra Singgih Pitoyo (pictured) from Indonesia, Graduate Associate (Innovation, Energy and Development) at SPRU - University of Sussex Business School; Saradha Krishnamoorthy from India, Research Manager at LEAD Krea University.
See an article in the Education Times about Saradha here.
Current students were also present: Kelo Uchendu from Nigeria, Taishi Kawamura from Japan and Denisa Amelia Kawuryan from Indonesia.
Dr Annemie Maertens and alumni gave an introduction to the Development Economics course and the experiences of previous students.
Alumni included Aishwarya Shreya Chakravarty from India, Economic and Labour Market Analyst at Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership; Namrata Nair from India, PhD Candidate in Australia; The pictured Mpoki James from Tanzania, UN Professional at UNICEF in New York City.
Current student Mai Satouchi from Japan was also present.
Steve Sorrell, Professor of Energy Policy, gave a sample lecture introducing the different types of renewable energy sources, their current state of development and the scale and characteristics of energy flows each source. It also highlighted one key challenge for the energy transition: namely the low power density of renewables and the consequent implications for land use.
Dr Julie Litchfield and Dr C Rashaad Shabab, Senior Lecturers in Economics, specialising in development economics will give a sample lecture.
Join Dr Sarada Krishnan for an introduction to the Sustainable Finance and Acccounting MSc course. Find out about​ the role of accounting and finance in meeting the key challenges surrounding sustainability development goals. Hear about the rapid growth in career opportunities in this area.
Join Professor Vasiliki Bamiatzi for an introduction to the International Business and Development MSc course. International businesses need to rapidly respond to concerns on social and environmental impacts. Multinationals are increasingly participating in the Sustainable Development Goals. Hear about the rapid growth in career opportunities in this area.
Join Luis Ananguren, Senior International Officer for the Americas, and current students from Chile, Mexico and Brazil, for a special Spanish language webinar about SPRU courses, student experience and careers.
A recording of this event is availble here.
We held an interactive Instagram Live session hosted by our International Officer, Isobel Hussey, where you can ask any questions you have for academics, current international students including the pictured Kelo, and alumni about coming and studying at the Business School at Sussex.
Sessions included students from the Business School including SPRU:
The University of Sussex Business School offers the following development courses:
Find out more about the Science Policy Research Unit.
May 9, 12:00-1:00PM
A one hour masterclass, delivered by Lyndsay McLean, Reader in Anthropology and International Development.
In this masterclass, we will consider the ways in which violence and gender inter-relate. To what extent is violence used to maintain gender inequalities? To what extent is violence gendered in its causes, dynamics and consequences? How are different forms of structural, political and interpersonal violence connected? How do violences based on gender and other social categories such as race and sexuality intersect? We will look at the common drivers of violence, how violence begets violence and how violence is shaped by social and structural context.
Join Dr Su Richards, Placement and Employability Officer, as she talks through the work placements available through the School of Global Studies. Current students and alumni will also talk about their experience on their placement, such as pictured alumnus Seonyeong Baek from South Korea, Mishal Mathews from India and current student Berta Jimenez Santos from Spain.
Professor Anke Schwittay, Professor in Anthropology and International Development, will provide guidance on studying Development Studies as an Undergraduate through the School of Global Studies.
Alumni included Finlay Wilson from the UK; Karuna Kurian from India; Nishant Bhakta from the USA, Analyst at Dasra India.
Current students were also be present: Tess Kester from Netherlands, Sayaka Kito from Japan, and Yashwi Rathod from India
Dr Rebecca Prentice, Lecturer in Anthropology, gave a sample lecture.
Dr Dinah Rajak leads a discussion about Postgraduate experiences and career opportunities of School of Global Studies Alumni.
Alumni include Zoe Mafoko from South Africa, Assistant Programme Officer at The Commonwealth; The pictured Temilade Bukola Salami from Nigeria, Executive Director at EcoChampions; Shilpa Sharma from India, Inclusion Consultant at The Association for Science Education; Shonosuke from Japan, working at JICA; Yoshino Okamura from Japan, Service Engineer at HP.
Current students will also be present: Jazlin Zakri from Malaysia, Sharika Tasnim from Bangladesh and Yi Hsuan Hseih from Taiwan.
Join Luis Ananguren, Senior International Officer for the Americas, and current students from Chile, Mexico and Brazil, for a special Spanish language webinar about SPRU courses, student experience and careers.
We held an interactive Instagram Live session hosted by our International Officer, Alice McCallum, where you can ask any questions you have for academics, current international students including the pictured Sharika, and alumni about coming and studying at the School of Global Studies at Sussex.
Sessions included students from the School of Global Studies:
The School of Global Studies offers several development courses, including:
Find out more about the School. Watch more videos about Development, Migration, and Energy, Sustainability and Innovation courses on our Masters Applicant Hub.
Michelle Cruickshank joined IDS alumni, to discuss what it is like to study at IDS, what support and advice is available, alumni career progression since graduating and what it means to be part of the network of over 4,000 IDS alumni around the world.
Alumni include: Samirah Bello from Nigeria, Partnerships Lead at Thrive Agric (pictured); Robyn Cooper from the UK, crops manager (SAI platform); Nikki Mendu from South Africa, Engagement and Communications Co-ordinator at Land Body Ecologies in the UK; and Teresiah Warui from Kenya, Programme Coordinator for The Girl Generation support to African led movement to end Female Genital Mutilation.
Watch back a recording here.
Dr Karishma Banga, from the Digital and Technology Cluster of IDS, gave a sample lecture exploring how digital technologies are changing nature of manufacturing and trade in Global Value Chains and what it means for economic upgrading in developing countries and opportunities and risks for manufacturing-led development in the Global South.
The lecture provides new insights into how policy frameworks can support an inclusive digital economic transformation. Watch back a recording here.
Dr Linda Waldman provided an overview of IDS and current student's shared their experience of studying various Development Studies courses at IDS.
Current IDS students present included: Haruki Ume from Japan (pictured), Yasmin Morais from Brazil, Fareeda Yaro from Ghana and Oldaipupo Baruwa from Nigeria.
Watch back a recording here.
Join Luis Ananguren, Senior International Officer for the Americas, and current students from Chile, Mexico and Brazil, for a special Spanish language webinar about SPRU courses, student experience and careers.
Watch a recording here.
We hosted an interactive Instagram Live session hosted by our International Officer, Luis Ananguren, where you could ask any questions you have for academics, current international students including the pictured Dipo, and alumni about coming and studying Development Studies at IDS Sussex.
Watch back a recording here.
Sessions included students from IDS:
The Institute of Development Studies offers several development courses, including:
Dr Sean Higgins leads a webinar detailing career opportunities and experiences after studying MAIED.
Alumni include Stephen Senyo Tettegah from Ghana, Programmes Manager at Education Partnership Group; Julia Boharski (pictured) from the USA, International Programmes Officer at World Concern Seattle; Arisa Oba from Japan, Education Officer at UNICEF Pacific.
Current students will also be present: Brittany Schultz from the USA, Himani Gour from India and Gbemisola Ibikunle from Nigeria.
Watch a recording here.
Professor Linda Morrice gave a sample lecture.
Almost half of the 58 million children who do not have access to school live in contexts of conflict and displacement. The provision of quality education for these children and young people is an urgent global priority if we are to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4’s commitment to lifelong learning opportunities for all by 2030.
In this session we trace how refugee education has been understood and conceptualised over the past 70 years and how this is linked to global changes and influences. In particular, we consider the more recent shift from short-term humanitarian responses to longer term development responses to refugee education and what this means for refugees.
Watch a recording here.
An interactive Instagram Live session hosted by our Regional Officer, Louis Adekola, where you can ask any questions you have for professors, current international students including the pictured Arisa, and MAIED graduates.
Watch a recording here.
Book an appointment via Calendly to chat over Zoom with one of our current students studying MAIED: