IDS teaching aims to produce the next generation of informed and knowledgeable leaders and experts, equipping them to respond to societal and environmental challenges.
A launch pad for careers
Eesha Kapoor and Shreyan Acharya graduated from the MA Development Studies course in the 2021-2022 cohort and share their reflections on the benefits of being part of the IDS community, or family, which “…offered a great launch pad for our careers…” and continues to provide opportunities for future growth and learning.
Neither had a grounding in the social sciences or international development. Shreyan was a law graduate and Eesha a computer science engineer. Both described their experience at IDS as a “completely transformative journey”, not least because the couple met on the course and recently married.
Eesha and Shreyan speak passionately about how the multi-cultural student cohort and the IDS focus on critical analysis “opened up” their understanding, supporting them to ask questions, and building their confidence in academic writing.
Eesha said the teaching experience was very different to India where the focus is on results rather than the learning processes. As a direct result of her experience studying in a system with a different ethos Eesha developed an interest in working in education.
For Shreyan, IDS teaching methods sparked new ideas for his work. The couple set up a student-led Education Hub and hosted a participatory workshop at IDS focusing on the significance of education and development.
Back home in Delhi, Shreyan applied his new knowledge to the design and roll out of new initiatives in government schools on public speaking, student leadership and student-led school magazines that empower children and generate pride in themselves and their schools.
Eesha experienced first-hand through her contributions to the Delhi Sports University how a sports education was picked up by eight Indian states. Eesha’s project gave talented children from underprivileged backgrounds the opportunity to compete nationally. Parents supported their children because of a new awareness of government funding for careers in sport.
In 2023, the pair both landed new jobs at the Central Square Foundation, a non-profit organisation working in partnership with governments across the country towards a vision of ensuring quality school education for all children in India.
A global view provides new insights
Argentinian alumni Teofilo Moreno came to the UK on a Chevening Scholarship and graduated in 2023 with an MA in Governance, Development and Public Policy. Prior to IDS, when he worked for the city government Buenos Aries on infrastructure projects in informal settlements, Teofilo didn’t think about his work as social development. “In Argentina we think of public policy as very local, but meeting people from all over the world gave me a new understanding that other countries have similar issues.”
IDS provided a global south view which gave Teo a new understanding of his public policy work, and introduced him to ideas around voice, power, and community development. Participating in study groups on democratic erosion during a year of political and economic turmoil in his home country helped Teo to understand and contextualise these events. “We are not an isolated country. Most of the issues we are struggling with are experienced by other countries too… we need to set regional agendas that go beyond national party politics.”
Although it was sometimes challenging to study in both a new country and a multicultural environment, the experience gave Teo new insights, and the confidence to apply to the 61st UN Grade Study Programme. “The Institute provided me with the tools to develop a voice for myself on issues related to development, human rights, and sustainability. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the IDS experience.”
In July 2023, Teofilo spent two weeks at the Palace of Nations in Geneva debating how to update the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for current times with students from 60 nations. Teo can already see the fruits of his year at IDS. He is living in Madrid using the skills, tools, networks, and mentoring opportunities provided by IDS to apply for jobs in the international development sector. “My plan is to start building networks and a global career before taking what I have learnt back to Argentina… I want to gain more insight on how European countries do things. I will always treasure my days at IDS as happy.”
An opportunity to pursue interests and passions
MA Governance alumni Jigyasa Agarwal took over as guest editor of the Institute’s “Between the Lines” podcast. In its fifth year, the podcast discusses the latest books related to development and social justice. “Between the Lines” underscores the importance of individual stories in understanding weaknesses in states, institutions and societies that hinder development progress and inclusion.
Jigyasa, who has years of journalistic experience writing for outlets such as Reuters, Janes Defence Intelligence and The Wire, aimed to use the platform to explore development themes from the perspectives of those who overcame intersectional barriers to pursue their dreams.
As Jigyasa explains, “while stories do not tell the entire truth, they do tell a truth that belongs to someone and with shared stories, the truth becomes data and eventually, materialises into a concrete truth.” Her purpose is “to give a platform for the voices of the marginalised and echo their journeys” to create more inclusive development policies and
practices. While she understands “the complexity of turning anecdotes into anecdata”, she still believes “in the power of impactful storytelling.”
After interviewing an Afghan scholar evacuated during the Taliban’s takeover, Jigyasa realised his experience did not reflect the majority stranded at home. This drove her intent to capture diverse perspectives from those facing discrimination by gender, class, caste, or disability in development sectors.
Commenting on her experience editing Between the Lines, Jigyasa reflected “While studying at IDS, the flexibility of the Institute allowed me to explore opportunities that aligned with my interests, skills, and passion. The opportunity to guest edit the podcast of the world’s best institute for development studies was nothing less than an exhilarating and fulfilling journey. IDS made me believe in my abilities. Now that I have graduated, I am planning my own podcast. Watch this space!”
