DSAI Annual Conference 2027
The Future of Development Studies – Strengthening Solidarity and Development Cooperation in an Era of Conflict and Crises
27th & 28th January 2027
Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
Concept Note – Setting the Context
After over fifty years of development studies internationally and in Ireland, the 2027 DSAI conference will reflect on this diverse field, on its current strengths and challenges and, most importantly, on its future. This is particularly the case as it grapples to deal with a new era of conflict and crises. With numerous threats to democracy and multilateralism, to planetary and human survival and well-being, to equality and human rights, and to aid, development and humanitarianism, the conference will address the role that development studies can, or should, play in strengthening solidarity and development cooperation. How well-prepared is development studies in Ireland to deal with these complex threats and challenges and to contribute, at this particularly demanding time, to building more equitable and sustainable global solidarity and development relationships? While new actors and donors are emerging in global development, how is development studies grappling with shifts in global power relations and with power dynamics within development research and funding more broadly?
As we approach 2030, across the globe, individual and collective solidarity activism represent beacons of hope against oppression, inequality and inhumanity. At the same time, we have seen a rise in anti-development rhetoric on social media while those who stand up for peace, justice, gender equality, human rights and climate justice are threatened or killed in ever greater numbers. What role is development studies playing to support different forms of solidarity in the face of war and genocide, poverty and economic self-interest, and with the erosion of democracy, freedom and commitment to international humanitarian law? How are development educators and researchers responding to the challenges experienced by NGOs, civil society and policy makers in the wake of devastating cuts to development and aid budgets? What questions are being asked, relationships forged, or models and framings being imagined and developed for development beyond the SDGs?
Critical Questions for the Future of Development Studies
This DSAI conference in 2027 will support participants to critically question understandings of development challenges and solutions at the heart of development studies itself. If it is to prepare the practitioners, activists and policy makers of the future, and to make a significant contribution to shaping a more just, equal and sustainable world, what changes are needed in development studies? Does it need to abandon, refine or reimagine notions of development which have characterised programmes, courses, research and publications to date? Will terms like sustainable, long-term, indigenous, decolonized, economic, human, localised and results-based development be enough to re-cast the kinds of global solidarity and development relationships needed in the future? In these challenging times, where is the space in development studies for critical debate about aid and development? How can development studies build on its long history of diversity and multidisciplinarity, holding spaces for critique in a threatened environment, while advancing solidarity and development practice?
Invitation to Participants
The DSAI conference in 2027 will explore the many complex challenges facing development studies into the future. Drawing on contemporary research, the experience of development practitioners, researchers, policy makers and activists, it invites participants to critically reflect on what’s working well, what needs to be unlearned in development studies and how development studies can situate itself more meaningfully and effectively in the future. Inviting participants to critically reflect on understandings, framings and practices of development and solidarity, it will open space for debating development studies’ future roles in theorizing global challenges and responses, in research and policy and in critical and transformative pedagogies. Are our higher education institutions spaces which can support the kinds of meaningful and engaged development research, theory, and pedagogical practices which are needed to shape alternative futures? What forms of intersectionality, relationality and interdisciplinarity should drive development studies in the future?
Calls for Contributions
Those wishing to submit a paper, poster or workshop proposal can view the FULL CALL HERE.
Information relating to the call for panel proposals is available HERE.