A warm welcome to the Global Development Institute to our incoming students

You’re joining us at fascinating time for Development Studies. Seismic shifts are taking place globally, nationally and locally. While headline poverty rates continue to fall, will growing inequality choke off the benefits of growth? In increasingly urbanised societies, are new forms of disadvantage becoming manifest and how can we secure positive change for all? How can organisation be effectively managed in turbulent times? And does the increasingly urgent threat of climate change mean we need to develop a radically different vision of development? These are just some of the urgent questions you’ll grapple with over the next year.

Internally too, 2018 marks an important milestone for the Institute. We’re celebrating the 60th anniversary of Development Studies at The University of Manchester. This gives us a useful moment to reflect on how much Manchester, Development Studies and the world has changed over the last 60 years – and how we build on what’s come before.

Manchester itself was the cradle of the industrial revolution. The benefits of new industrial processes were not shared by all. This catalysed radical thinking and Manchester has long been associated with social change and revolutionary ideas. It’s a great place to think about how big changes and challenges can shape societies. And when you’re not thinking big, you should also make the most of the culture, the sport, the museums and the amazing countryside all around you!

During the next year, you’ll be part of our research-led teaching, which is designed to share cutting edge issues, and prepare you for new developments. This provides space for active learning and we encourage questions and debate, appreciating the knowledge and experiences that students come here with.

A master’s degree is not about giving answers. It’s about teaching critical thinking and we look forward to the contribution you can make. Beyond your courses, there are opportunities to get a broader take on Development Studies, though our high profile public lecture series, as well as many one off seminars and discussions. Please do get involved and make the most of your time with us.

The Global Development Institute’s vision is of a socially just and sustainable world in which all human-beings have opportunities to flourish. We’re proud of making an impact through our teaching, our research and the wider engagement with societies that go with this. We look forward to you being an important part of our mission from now on.

With very best wishes,

Professor Diana Mitlin, Managing Director, Global Development Institute