Graduate Studies in Global Development
An internationally-oriented and interdisciplinary program, the MA and PhD degrees in Global Development Studies provide advanced research training for students seeking to pursue careers in government, academia, development agencies, journalism, media, teaching, business and law. Combining political-economy perspectives with cultural analysis, our students pose key questions about equitable and sustainable development in a world beset by stark inequalities, political turbulence and pressing environmental challenges. With small classes and close supervision, we give students the tools they need to pursue interdisciplinary research projects on the topics that they are passionate about. At the same time, we ensure they build the core analytical and communication skills sought by employers in Canada and internationally. From the grassroots to the global, our students attain the skills and knowledge needed to make an impact in our increasingly connected world!
Our faculty are recognised as academic leaders in their fields and coordinate major international research projects in diverse countries such as India, South Africa, Cuba and Canada. They bring these active research experiences into the classroom, offering courses on topics ranging from development finance and trade, through to gender, climate change and beyond. We believe that this unique classroom experience combined with close supervision provides students with the analytical tools and thematic knowledge needed to undertake original research projects, either through a one-year degree or a two-year advanced programme involving field research. For students keen to further advance and apply their skills, we offer the next step in research training through our PhD programme in Global Development Studies.
How does corporate power shape geographies of dispossession in contemporary development? What is likely to happen first: ‘progressive’ global structural change, or ‘degenerative' global fragmentation … and is it possible that the latter could be more desirable than the former? How does contemporary climate change challenge us to profoundly rethink our ideas about humans, nature and development? How do everyday people, indigenous peoples and other marginalized groups make ends meet in a neo-liberal world? What do we mean by 'public' in a privatizing world and how do we build this into alternative models of development? What do Africa's experiences of development teach us about forging solidarity for human rights, gender equality, sexual health, anti-racism, and environmental justice? How we can cultivate an equitable and fair food system by breaking down barriers, challenging the corporatized food system, and redefining the way we think about food? How is colonial power held in intimate spheres? What is the role of Indigenous song as law, and what are the ways in which Indigenous history and settler colonialism are represented in public space through different art forms?
Susanne Soederberg
Richard Day
Marcus Taylor
Villia Jefremovas
David McDonald
Marc Epprecht
Paritosh Kumar
Karen Dubinsky
Dylan Robinson
If you have further questions after reviewing our website, please contact our Academic Programs Assistant.