Pathway available at Bath and Exeter
The Area and Development Studies pathway presents space for interdisciplinary research on countries of the global South and Eurasia. Applicants to this scheme can focus either on development challenges or topics that fall more generally into the politics, economics, and social dynamics of their chosen country or region of specialisation. While the traditional focus on post-colonial societies and its development trajectories is a distinctive aspect, the pathway also welcomes the study of development challenges linked to poverty, human rights, health, and environment in the global North as well as comparative research across the North-South divide. Thematic specialisation includes, but is not limited to, urbanisation, gender, environment and sustainability, conflict, humanitarianism, human rights, and governance.
The faculty and research centres associated with this pathway reflect the dynamic nature and ever-expanding scope of the fields of area and development studies.
This pathway is ideal training ground for those interested in developing a deep understanding of the politics, economics, and social challenges of the Global South and Eurasia. For those specifically interested in working in the field of international development research and practice, it will enable candidates to establish their research focus and experience in key thematic areas relevant to international development today. Specialisation in a region, specifically in its history and politics, is well-suited to those intending to develop policy expertise in a region.