Social Theory and Development Histories (STDH) Research Group
The Social Theory and Development Histories (STDH) research group is an inter-disciplinary group which engages theoretically and historically with development discourses and their implications for practice.
Our research focuses on wider issues and processes of social change and their impact on development. This reflects an explicit attempt to theorise, and provide critiques of the underpinnings of contemporary development discourses and practice.
STDH members enjoy an international reputation in contributing to theoretical research and its implications for practice in key areas such as gender and race, migration, conflict and participation. We draw on a wide range of disciplines including political economy, sociology, politics, geography, international relations, anthropology and labour analyses.
Group members have contributed and instigated a number of projects, examining the implications of such theory in fields as diverse as international migration, post-conflict violence, health and the role of politics and finance in developing countries.
Group members regularly publish, including articles in leading journals such as Journal of Development Studies, Third World Quarterly. We have also written or edited a number of influential books. In addition, members have held, or hold, grants from a range of bodies including the Royal Academy, the EU and ESRC.
The group provides a space to debate and critique social theory and regularly participates and organises seminars and conferences. For example, in 2011 it hosted a workshop examining the relations between social theory and development.
A crucial part of the group comes from the contribution of it postgraduate researchers, and the group continues to welcome new applications from interested students. The group also undertakes significant teaching at postgraduate level, and contributes to providing a critical understanding of development and practice within IDPM and beyond.