Development Studies Association of the UK and Ireland An Introduction to the DSA of the UK and Ireland Frances Hill Development Studies Association connecting and promoting the development research community

Development Studies Association of the UK and Ireland Founded in 1978 Membership: 55 organisations 1200 individuals connecting and promoting the development research community

Vision and Mission Vision: Accelerated Global Poverty Reduction Mission: To connect and promote development research and teaching to increase its impact connecting and promoting the development research community

Past Presidents Professor Keith Griffin, University of Oxford Professor Amartya Sen, University of Oxford (Nobel Laureate) Professor Emanuel de Kadt, Institute of Development Studies Professor Lalage Bown, University of Glasgow Tony Killick, Overseas Development Institute Professor Hans Singer, Institute of Development Studies Frances Stewart, Queen Elizabeth House, University of Oxford Martin Griffiths, Director, ActionAid Professor John Toye, Institute of Development Studies Professor John Harriss, Development Studies Institute, LSE Professor Paul Mosley, University of Reading / University of Sheffield b Simon Maxwell, Overseas Development Institute 2005–2008 Professor Cecile Jackson, School of Development Studies, UEA Professor Lawrence Haddad, Institute of Development Studies, Sussex Professor Geof Wood, University of Bath connecting and promoting the development research community

Objectives Mobilising of Collective Capacity and Knowledge for Development Nurturing the Next Generation of Development Professionals Investing in the Infrastructure for World-Leading Development Studies connecting and promoting the development research community

Activities – Collective Capacity Annual Conference Study Groups – 27 different themes Heads of Centres meetings Friends of meetings with specific organisations Journal of Development Studies connecting and promoting the development research community

Activities – Nurturing Next Generation One year free trial membership for students Research Students workshop for PhD students Research Student bursaries for Conference Junior academic bursaries for 3 day Conference Prize for best paper and chance to publish Careers advice and help with contacts Assistance with CV writing and networking connecting and promoting the development research community

Activities – Research Infrastructure Working with HEFCE to ensure development studies is evaluated in ways that respect policy impact as well as academic rigour Working with UKCDS in supporting Research Councils to focus more on development issues Working with the Quality Assurance Agency towards a benchmarking standard for development studies connecting and promoting the development research community

Organisation President, 2 Officers and Council guide the strategic direction of the DSA and provide hands-on support to Secretariat through sub-committees Secretariat led by Executive Director carries out much of the activities Constitution which underpins our vision, objectives and activities Terms of reference for sub-committees connecting and promoting the development research community

Financing Difficult as organisations such as this fall between two stools – we do not do research, we do not do projects Core income comprises mainly membership fees We have had some contract income from UK DFID for specific activities Most other similar associations derive an income from their journals – the DSA does not own JID Important to start out with diverse sources of funding rather than relying on one cash cow or membership fees connecting and promoting the development research community

Benefits of Networking Informs work and activities – feedback potential Meet more people – share experiences Not acting in isolation – important for development Collaboration potential – vital for research Gives access to wider range of resources Successful collaboration is greater than the sum of the individual parts

Value Added of DSAs for Networking Provides a forum for meeting people who can help your research and careers Call for collaboration and assistance with your research via collective shared resources such as website and bulletin Aspired International Membership will open up access for collaboration with researchers in other countries Secretariat to provide advice, guidance and contacts

Takeaways from some recent research 1. Differences in Timeframes/Rhythms 2. Incentive structures 3. Institutional buy-in/support 4. The role of serendipity 5. Importance of individuals and chemistry 6. Hybrid nature of individuals – Pracademics/Actitioners 7. Trust - Role of communication connecting and promoting the development research community

Partnering – a schematic framework Copyright: The Partnering Initiative

RESPECT for the added value each party brings RESPECT for the added value each party brings 1. EQUITY Why do all partnerships need these 3 core principles? 2. TRANSPARENCY TRUST with partners more willing to innovate & take risks TRUST with partners more willing to innovate & take risks 3. MUTUTAL BENEFIT 3. MUTUTAL BENEFIT ENGAGEMENT more likely to sustain & build relationship over time ENGAGEMENT more likely to sustain & build relationship over time Copyright: The Partnering Initiative

Hoped-for development outcome (s) Initial partner analysis theme scale Strategic & underlying interests hook CONSIDERATIONS What is the case for a partnership approach? Are there alternative / better options? Transaction costs vs benefits? Possible obstacles and risks? What are the broad project / activity areas? What resources / competencies are needed? Is there capacity for flexibility / responsiveness? Is the organisation ready / fit for partnering? Are there potential unintended consequences? Decision to move forwards For example because: There is a better alternative The risks are too high The benefits are insufficient The organisation is not ready No go Copyright: Michael Warner To Partner Or Not To Partner? Issues to consider

Position = the first demand or solution presented by someone, often dogmatic and usually inconsiderate (can only win by narrowing / conceding) Interest = those elements that underpin the stated position (eg drivers, priorities, hopes, needs, values, external pressures) Progress / breakthrough comes when you can get beneath the position to understand and address the underlying interests – where you can expand out from some area of shared interest – this is known as interest- based negotiation Positions and underlying interests Source: Acland

copyright What do we mean by resources / contributions? Knowledge Different types Specialist knowledge Unknown to others Physical Resources Buildings Transport Infrastructure Products Medicine Food Computers Networks Sector specific Types of contacts Information Ways to distribute Technical methods Non-technical methods People Expertise Champions Labor/volunteers Contacts Credibility Spheres of influence Other Be imaginative What Can Each Partner Bring? 18 Copyright: The Partnering Initiative

An example of a partnership outline planning tool Shared objective(s) – Individual organisation objectives: – 4. Resources Evidence of success - This planning tool can usefully be undertaken as a 'step by step' process prior to signing a partnering agreement

DSA Africa? DSA Ghana? DSA West Africa? Consider: Why? Purpose? (Vision, Aims & Objectives) Landscaping – what already exists? Development Studies/Inter-disciplinarity vs mono- disciplinary culture? How to take forward? Ownership, authorship & scaling up Federal and regional issues Secretariat – located where? Consider logistics, infrastructure & political sensitivities connecting and promoting the development research community