Development Studies Week

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 collage of all the different sessions held for Development Studies week in 2023

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


School of Global Studies

2024 events

Live Masterclass - Four Myths about Global Poverty

This session took place 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 confronted 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 allowed for Q&A at the end to find out more about Poverty, Anthropology, Global Studies or studying here at Sussex.

Watch a recording of this event.

Live Masterclass - Decolonising Development

This session took place May 1, 12:00-1:00PM

In this masterclass, lecturer Dr Suda Perera considered what it meant 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 showed 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 went through three elements of the process: decolonising the University, diversifying ways of learning, and demythologising academic orthodoxies.

Watch a recording of this event.

Live Masterclass - Gender and violence: Connections and Intersections

This session took place May 9, 12:00-1:00PM

A one hour masterclass, delivered by Lyndsay McLean, Reader in Anthropology and International Development.

This masterclass considered 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? Looking at the common drivers of violence, how violence begets violence and how violence is shaped by social and structural context.

Watch a recording of this event.

  • 2023 events

    Placement Session - Boost your career prospects

    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 KoreaMishal Mathews from India and current student Berta Jimenez Santos from Spain.

    Watch a recording of this event.

    Undergraduate Development Studies at Sussex

    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 UKKaruna Kurian from IndiaNishant 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

    Watch a recording of this event.

    Global Studies sample lecture - ‘What is Poverty?’

    Dr Rebecca Prentice, Lecturer in Anthropology, gave a sample lecture.

    Watch a recording of this event.

    Global Studies Postgraduate and Alumni Careers Webinar

    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 EcoChampionsShilpa Sharma from IndiaInclusion Consultant at The Association for Science EducationShonosuke from Japan, working at JICAYoshino Okamura from JapanService Engineer at HP.

    Current students will also be present: Jazlin Zakri from MalaysiaSharika Tasnim from Bangladesh and Yi Hsuan Hseih from Taiwan.

    Watch a recording of this event.

    Webinar for students in Latin America

    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 of this event

    Instagram Live Session

    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.

    Watch a recording of this live event here.

    Featured students

    Sessions included students from the School of Global Studies:

    • Jaz Zakri from Malaysia: Studying MA Social Anthropology
    • Sharika Tasnim from Bangladesh: Studying MA Conflict, Security and Development
    • Yi Hsuan Hsieh from Taiwan: Studying MA Gender, Violence and Conflict (pictured)
    • Mami Kamoshita from Japan: Studying MA Migration and Global Development
    • Tess Kester from the Netherlands: Studying BA International Development
    • Sayaka Kito from Japan: Studying BA International Development

    The School of Global Studies offers several development courses, including:

    Find out more about the School. Watch more videos about DevelopmentMigration, and Energy, Sustainability and Innovation courses on our Masters Applicant Hub.


Career Talk - How to get a job in Development, Charities and Not-for-Profit

2024 events

How to get a job in Development, Charities and Not-for-Profit

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

  • Find how to get relevant experience
  • Find vacancies
  • How to present yourself effectively and build your professional network

Register here.

Slides from this session are available here.


School of Media, Arts and Humanities

2023 events

Course Overview and Alumni Careers Webinar

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 BoliviaCommunications 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.

Watch a recording of this event.

How to get a job in Development, Charities and Not-for-Profit

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.

Sample Lecture - Producing Media for Development

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).





Watch a recording of this event
.

Instagram Live Session

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.

Watch a recording of this live session here.

Featured students

Sessions included students from the School of Media, Arts and Humanities:

  • Rwitoban Deb from India
  • Kate Anku-Tsede from Ghana
  • Unathi Mahlati from South Africa (pictured)

 

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.


University of Sussex Business School including SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit

2023 events

Course Overview and Alumni Careers Webinar - SPRU

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 SchoolSaradha Krishnamoorthy from IndiaResearch 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.

Watch a recording of this event.

Course Overview and Alumni Careers Webinar - Development Economics MSc

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 IndiaEconomic 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.

Watch a recording of this event.

SPRU Sample lecture - Displacing Fossil Fuels 

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.

 

Watch a recording of this event.

Development Economics Sample lecture - Migration, Poverty and Inequality 

Dr Julie Litchfield and Dr C Rashaad Shabab, Senior Lecturers in Economics, specialising in development economics will give a sample lecture.

 

Watch a recording of this event.

Course Overview and Alumni Careers Webinar - Sustainable Finance and Accounting MSc

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.

Watch a recording of this event.

Course Overview and Careers Webinar - International Business and Development MSc

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.

 

Watch a recording of this event.

Webinar for students in Latin America

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.

Instagram Live Session

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.

Watch a recording of this event.

Featured students

Sessions included students from the Business School including SPRU:

  • Kelo Ogechukwu Uchendu from Nigeria
  • Taishi Kawamura from Japan
  • Denisa Amelia Kawuryan from Indonesia (pictured)
  • Mai Satouchi from Japan 
  • Javier Valverde from Mexico

The University of Sussex Business School offers the following development courses: 

Find out more about the Science Policy Research Unit.


Institute of Development Studies (IDS)

2023 events

IDS International Careers - Alumni and Career Experience Webinar

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 AfricaEngagement 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

IDS Sample Lecture - Digital Development and Trade 

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

IDS Overview and Current Student Experience Webinar

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

Webinar for students in Latin America

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.  

Instagram Live Session

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

Featured students

Sessions included students from IDS:

  • Haruke Umi from Japan: Studying MA Development Studies
  • Yasmin Almeida Lobato Morais from Brazil: Studying MA Power, Participation and Social Change
  • Fareeda Awal Yaro from Ghana: Studying MA Gender and Development (pictured)
  • Oladipupo Adesesan Baruwa from Nigeria: Studying Globalisation, Business and Development
  • Diksha Dinde from India: Studying MA Governance, Development and Public Policy

The Institute of Development Studies offers several development courses, including:

Find out more about IDS.


International Education and Development Masters (MAIED)

2023 events

International Education and Development Course Overview and Alumni Careers Webinar

Dr Sean Higgins leads a webinar detailing career opportunities and experiences after studying MAIED.

Alumni include Stephen Senyo Tettegah from GhanaProgrammes Manager at Education Partnership GroupJulia Boharski (pictured) from the USAInternational Programmes Officer at World Concern SeattleArisa 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

MAIED Sample Lecture - Refugee Education and Development

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

Instagram Live Session

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.

Featured students

Book an appointment via Calendly to chat over Zoom with one of our current students studying MAIED:

  • Brittany Schultz from the USA
  • Gbemisola Rebecca Ibikunle from Nigeria (pictured)
  • Himani Gour from India

You might also be interested in: