Graduate Studies in International Development EWB National Conference

Graduate Studies in International Development EWB National Conference January 21, 2006

Outline Introduction n Survey n n Participants, n questions, and answers Brief overview of some schools and programs

Introduction n History of International Development Studies (IDS) n 1960’s – Volunteering overseas with CUSO, VSO, & Peace Corps n 1970’s – First IDS program at Sussex (UK); copied in Africa n 1980’s – Decade of professionalization in ID n 1990’s to Present – Diversification of development job market

Survey Participants n n n n Chris Smart – EWB advisory board member Lea Johnson – Development practitioner & SFU professor Tess Ocol – IDS Master’s grad from Sussex Katharine Cross – Studying MSc in Environment and Development at LSE Alex Conliffe – Studying MSc in Environmental Change and Management at Oxford Scott Griffiths – Studying Master’s in Public Administration in ID at KSG, Harvard Eliza Wadell – Studying MSc in Water & Environmental Management at Loughborough

Survey Questions & Answers 1. n n n Is grad studies in development worthwhile? “Yes” – very good sorting out exercise but you have to WANT to do it Investment in time & money but worth it if you want to be in top percentage “Helps contextualize development into broader framework” Employers looking for 5+ years experience and/or masters Worthwhile only if you choose a degree that suits what you want to do

Survey Questions & Answers 2. n n n Should I take an interdisciplinary IDS program, or a more traditional disciplinary program (i. e. economics)? Have to match person to program Ask “am I private or public sector? ” Ask “am I a generalist or specialist? ” “Be clear about your sector, be clear about your specialty, be very choosy about your school” Development is Interdisciplinary Con – interdisciplinary programs can be taught at “lowest common denominator” level

Survey Questions & Answers 3. n n n What are the best developmentrelated grad programs in Canada? In the world? Canada – Dalhousie, Guelph, St. Mary’s, Normal Patterson School of International Affairs (Carleton) Sussex, Oxford, LSE, Cambridge Eliza recommends Loughborough (Water Engineering & Development Centre) if you want Water and Sanitation

Survey Questions & Answers 4. n n n n How do Canada’s IDS programs compare with those from the UK or US? Chris: Compare well, matter of emphasis Lea: Canada is behind – “If you can afford it, go to UK” No IDS in US – Area studies UK – extremely international (37 people, 3 from UK, 50% from south) UK More MSc options in UK 1 year programs in UK, 2 years in Canada EDUCATION vs. TRAINING

Survey Questions & Answers 5. n n Is it worth paying the big $$ to go to well-known schools? “Wherever you go, you won’t waste money” Cachet to big names – will help land jobs with big NGO’s/firms Network, calibre of visiting speakers, reputation of profs, employers that come to recruit Get feedback from students in course

Survey Questions & Answers 6. n n n What is the difference between a grad certificate, diploma, and masters? What should I take? Certificate is short – training (no evaluation) Master’s proves yourself at higher level of academia Diploma is pre-master’s Chris: Do diploma or master’s – engineers don’t get much “education” “Literacy” in development

Survey Questions & Answers 7. n n Should I take a practical or theoretical program? Depends on interest Ask “where do I want to be Monday morning? ” Master’s is more theoretical Can get practical in industry or field – (Certificate program)

Survey Questions & Answers 8. n n n How much experience is necessary before doing grad studies in development? At least one “cycle of life” in the field “However you do this, decide to do it for 10 years” Lea – Minimum 5 years!: “After your experience, you know what to look for and it makes it more real, and you can take out of it what you need” Need to first create own vision of world Tess: Classmates had at least 2 years experience w/ 1 year in development context

Survey Questions & Answers 9. n n For someone who wants to contribute to international development but doesn’t want to do grad studies, what are the best ways that she can get involved through her professional career? Find opportunities to contribute to your profession (ex. international firms) “Get some kind of change going inside profession that [engineers] have to work with people and not just for the people” Get practical experience, but be aware you will need to “invest in yourself” LEARN about development

Survey Questions & Answers 10. n n n Would a person run into any ceilings later on in her professional life if she didn’t have a graduate degree in development? Engineering is better than most fields – practical experience is valued Very competitive field Get at least diploma level

Survey Questions & Answers 11. n n In your opinion, what are the biggest needs of the development sector (policy, governance, field workers, etc)? Trend where southern governments will want more control over their development Poorer countries will need traditional aid for a long period of time AIDS – What will happen? Need for people at all levels with technical background but also a strong handle on “soft” side of development

Canadian Grad Programs n St. Mary’s – – – MA in IDS (2 years) Graduate Diploma (8 months) Core areas: Environment and Development, Development Theory, Gender and Development Rural Development, & Economic Development – http: //www. arts. smu. ca/ids/ n Dalhousie – – MA in IDS (2 years) http: //www. dal. ca/~intdwww/index. html

Canadian Grad Programs n Guelph – Add International Development Studies to MA, MSc, or MBA (2 years) n http: //www. uoguelph. ca/cids/ n http: //www. uoguelph. ca/sedrd/RPD/ – MA or MSc in Rural Planning & Development (2 years) n Carleton – MA in IA at Norman Patterson School of International Affairs n http: //www. carleton. ca/npsia/ n http: //www. carleton. ca/polisci/ – MA in Poli Sci

Canadian Grad Programs n Uof. T – MA in Poli Sci (Development Studies) n n UBC – Graduate Certificate n n http: //www. chass. utoronto. ca/polsci/ SFU http: //cic. cstudies. ubc. ca/cid/ – Graduate Certificate WITH Master’s

UK Grad Programs n LSE Development Studies Institute – 1 year MSc programs (lots of them!) n http: //www. lse. ac. uk/collections/DESTIN/study/Default. htm – External Study Program!!! n n http: //www. lse. ac. uk/collections/LSEExternal. Study/Program mes/Default. htm Cambridge – MPhil in Development Studies (Land Economy) n http: //www. devstudies. cam. ac. uk/ – Centre of African Studies n http: //www. african. cam. ac. uk/

UK Grad Programs n Oxford – Queen Elizabeth House Centre for Development Studies n n http: //www 2. qeh. ox. ac. uk/ Sussex – Centre for Comparative Study in Culture, Development, & Environment n http: //www. ids. ac. uk/ids/teach/pg. html – Institute of Development Studies n http: //www. sussex. ac. uk/development/

Websites http: //www. arts. yorku. ca/ids/graduate /schools. html n www. idsnet. org n http: //www. isp. msu. edu/CASID/ n – Centre for Advanced Study in International Development

Contact us Avi – avi@magma. ca n Meghan – mk_myles@hotmail. com n Evelyn – evelynnoy@hotmail. com n Dallas – dallas@dal. ca n Mike – mikequinn@ewb. ca n Sara – sarat 27@hotmail. com n