IDS research 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.

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

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 4-month period of work-based learning in which students examine issues in their own practice and use the findings to benefit their organisation.

Full programme for 2013 MA Participation, Power and Social Change (pdf)

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