Institute of Development Studies

The development research programmes at IDS are organised in six closely linked multidisciplinary teams.

All IDS courses

PhD by Research

MA Development Studies

MA Poverty and Development

MA Gender and Development

MA Governance and Development

MA Globalisation and Development

MA Participation, Power and Social Change

MA Science, Society and Development

MSc Climate Change and Development

Addis reunion for IDS staff and alumni

Director of Teaching Robert Nurick and Fellows Mark Davies and Keetie Roelen were in Addis Ababa for an alumni dinner.

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The Pulse of Egypt’s Revolt

IDS Bulletin Issue: 1 Volume: 43

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Recommended Publication

Front page of second issue of Studies of HIV in African communities from IDS Knowledge Services entitled

"Born, lived and died - but counted or not?" Studies of HIV Communities in Africa (Highlights)

Monograph

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MA Participation, Power and Social Change

Linking practice, theory and reflection

'This MA allows me to put theory into practice on a daily basis. I have experienced a paradigm shift in my career.' Tamara, USA, student 2008

IDS' work around the theme of Participation, Power and Social Change is part of a global research collaboration that explores how people participate in society in pursuit of social justice. Citizens and their organisations, policymakers, development workers and researchers increasingly appreciate that standard recipes for managing the complexity of our inter-connected world have not worked.

From September 2012 this MA will run for 12 months (instead of 18 months). Further details will be announced soon.

The MA in Participation, Power and Social Change (MAP) combines academic study, practical experience and personal reflection. Students carry out an action research project related to their work, and explore the challenges of participation and power relations and what it means to facilitate change.

Students come from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including community organisations, NGOs, social movements, governments, businesses and consultancies. They work on diverse issues such as agriculture, health, HIV-AIDS, natural resources, climate change, youth, gender, community development, governance, communication, planning, evaluation and policy-making, among others. A core component of MAP is the 12-month period of work-based learning in which students examine issues in their own practice and use the findings to benefit their organisation.

MAP Why students choose this MA (pdf)

Entry Requirements

An acceptable first degree or equivalent academic qualification, and at least three years of voluntary or professional experience which should in some way be connected to the MA subject area. The minimum acceptable level of English language competence is grade7 overall, and no less than 6.5 in each section of the IELTS test (or equivalent).