The department is a lively community that is recognised internationally as one of the top centres for research and teaching in development studies.

Our courses offer excellent training for a career in international development or for advanced study, and attract students of the highest calibre from across the world.
“I had waited for 10 years before my dream to study in Oxford became a reality and the experience was truly beyond expectation”
Our students are taught to develop as critical and independent thinkers and when they leave us they are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to bring about real change.
“My time at Oxford strengthened my critical analysis and provided me with a unique interdisciplinary grounding in history, politics and economics that has equipped me well in dealing with public policy issues and program development strategy.”
Our courses offer excellent training for a career in international development or for advanced study, and attract students of the highest calibre from across the world.
“I had waited for 10 years before my dream to study in Oxford became a reality and the experience was truly beyond expectation”
Our courses offer excellent training for a career in international development or for advanced study, and attract students of the highest calibre from across the world.
“I had waited for 10 years before my dream to study in Oxford became a reality and the experience was truly beyond expectation”
Our students are taught to develop as critical and independent thinkers and when they leave us they are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to bring about real change.
“My time at Oxford strengthened my critical analysis and provided me with a unique interdisciplinary grounding in history, politics and economics that has equipped me well in dealing with public policy issues and program development strategy.”
Our students are taught to develop as critical and independent thinkers and when they leave us they are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to bring about real change.
“My time at Oxford strengthened my critical analysis and provided me with a unique interdisciplinary grounding in history, politics and economics that has equipped me well in dealing with public policy issues and program development strategy.”
We are delighted to announce that the Refugee-Led Research Hub has been recognised in the Vice-Chancellor’s Diversity Awards, winning the project award for ‘Diversifying participation’.
With funding from the IKEA Foundation, the Refugee-Led Research Hub supports graduate access and career development opportunities for aspiring researchers with lived experience of displacement. With an initial focus on East Africa, the Hub aims to create a range of opportunities for refugee researchers to access training, mentorship, and funding in order to build research careers in the Social Sciences and the Humanities.
Professor Alexander Betts (project advisor) said, “The ceremony was a joyful celebration of the people and projects contributing to equality, diversity, and inclusion across the University. It was inspiring to learn about the range of initiatives led by students and staff across every part of the University, from the sciences to the humanities”.
“This award is recognition for the entire Refugee-Led Research Hub team who have been working to expand opportunities for researchers and students from displacement backgrounds. We hope that this can catalyse and strengthen the University’s commitment to offer access opportunities and scholarships for refugees from around the world”.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Diversity Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the strength of commitment to equality and diversity at Oxford, and to recognise individuals and groups who have inspired others, demonstrated leadership and made a difference to equality and diversity in the University’s working, learning and social environment.
Find out more about the Refugee-Led Research Hub.
Read their Annual Report (pdf).