IDS has coordinated the Disability Inclusive Development Network as part of an initiative to support disability-inclusive research and knowledge systems. Early-career researchers from across the globe have built new connections, strengthened their research skills, and gained the confidence to shape more inclusive development practices through their participation in the initiative.
Supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the initiative brought together ten research networks conducting disability-inclusive research across a wide range of countries and contexts. Between December 2023 and July 2024, 22 early career researchers (ECRs) from Botswana, China, Cuba, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, the UK and the US engaged in a series of online sessions where they exchanged experiences, voiced their concerns, and developed both their research expertise and their peer networks. A culminating face-to-face workshop was held in October 2024, co-organised with Stellenbosch University in South Africa.
Both IDS and AHRC regarded including early career researchers, particularly those with disabilities, and empowering them as research leaders, as being particularly relevant to the success of the initiative. Over the course of the project, participating researchers reported gaining a wide range of practical research skills. These included principles of good research practice, ethical processes, data protection protocols, coding techniques, and improved academic writing. Several participants said the experience had a significant impact on their confidence and professional growth.
An early career professional with disabilities described gaining confidence through involvement in the networks, and as a result had joined another project which they then influenced to ensure it was disability inclusive from the outset. Another participant reported feeling empowered to participate in various conferences at home and abroad.
For many, the October workshop in Stellenbosch was a turning point. Participants described it as a rare opportunity to engage deeply with peers facing similar challenges and aspirations, in a collaborative and supportive setting. Among those who found the workshop particularly meaningful was Banya Ojok, a researcher from Uganda who is visually impaired. In a reflection published on the Youth Disability Network website, Banya shared ‘The workshop was a transformative experience. It provided me with new insights, practical tools, and a network of colleagues who share my passion for disability-inclusive research. The most important takeaway is the reminder that research is not just about producing knowledge – it’s about creating impact.’
The findings from the Disability Inclusive Development Networks initiative are summarised in a learning paper published by IDS in April 2025. The report shares key reflections and lessons from a participatory process involving researchers, partners, and people with disabilities across the networks. It offers practical recommendations to support more inclusive and equitable research in the future.
As part of IDS’s broader commitment to inclusive research systems, the coordination of the Disability Inclusive Development Networks stands as an example of how early career researchers, when supported meaningfully, can become agents of change within development spaces. The aim was to explore opportunities for synergies and shared learning, and connecting their work with other relevant AHRC research and existing networks.
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