Research
An interdisciplinary collaborative research centre critically engaging with international development policy and practice.
The Centre for Development Studies (CDS) involves anthropologists, economists, geographers, political scientists and theorists, and sociologists. It has a strong focus on engagement with the local and has research expertise across Africa, Asia and Latin America. It is committed to making connections between the global north and the global south, relating local, national and international levels of analysis, and linking theory with practice and research with action.
The Centre attracts major grants and frequently collaborates with development donors, civil society organisations and NGOs from around the world as well as research councils. Knowledge and expertise is also shared through a range of academic and professional development study opportunities offered through the Department of Social & Policy Sciences at the University of Bath.
Research themes
Gender, childhood and youth
This theme explores issues of gender, age and generation in relation to international development.
Insecurity and conflict
This theme brings together research which contributes to the growing recognition of the connections between process of economic development and the causes and dynamics of insecurity.
Markets, microfinance and inclusion
This theme examines the social and cultural influences upon the operation of markets in developing countries.
Wellbeing and human development
This theme focuses on wellbeing as an encompassing, holistic concept centred on what is positive and desireable that combines objective assessments of people's lives with their subjective accounts of how they are doing and feeling.
Research publications
Publications by Centre members have appeared in leading disciplinary and multi-disciplinary journals.
Visit our on-line publication library for our latest publications.
Working papers
CDS also publishes a working paper series, ‘Bath Papers in International Development and Wellbeing’.
Projects and activities
CDS projects have received funding from a range of sources such as the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Department for International Development (DFID), Templeton Foundation and The British Academy. Read more about our projects and activities.
