ODID - Oxford Department of International Development

🎉 Warm congratulations to our MSc prize winners for 2023/24!

Well done to them all and to all our leaving students this year!

Find out more: https://www.qeh.ox.ac.uk/news/congratulating-our-msc-student-prize-winners-2024

'Closing our borders to everyone is what England has tried to do over the last few years … and what we've seen is it's had disastrous economic consequences. [In South Africa] we need to be connected to the rest of the continent and to the rest of the world'.

Watch Loren Landau discuss recent upsurges in anti-immigrant sentiment in the UK and South Africa with Naledi Moleo for Newzroom Afrika.

Making sense of intensifying immigration debates in SA and UK Immigration debates are intensifying in South Africa and the United Kingdom. SA's discovery of illegal immigrants and the UK's anti-immigration riots highlig...

Congratulations to our MPhil in Development Studies prize winners for 2024!

Josefina Lehnen of St Antony’s College won the Eugene Havas Memorial Prize, the prize for the best overall performance.

Sive Gaudy of St Catherine’s College won the Papiya Ghosh Thesis Prize.

The Examiners prize was shared between Angus Williams of St Edmund Hall and Adam Sparkes of Pembroke College.

Find out more about the research they carried out at ODID and what they are planning next.

https://www.qeh.ox.ac.uk/news/josefina-lehnen-sive-gaudy-angus-williams-and-adam-sparkes-win-2024-mphil-prizes

With the departure of Bangladesh's Prime Minister following intensifying student protests, it's a good time to reread this 2020 article by David Jackman analysing why such movements posed a serious threat to the ruling party.

The article explores the history of student protest in Bangladesh and draws on two case studies – 2018 protests over public sector job quotas and road safety – and the government’s response to analyse their potential role in confronting authoritarian rule.

Read the open access pre-publication version here: https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:5515ccd2-a763-4f0c-b582-ecb362505797

'The hidden power of a new technocratic elite … has become critical for parties and politicians to fight elections and win votes in India'

Amogh Dhar Sharma is quoted in a new article by WIRED exploring how behind-the-scenes consultants used data-driven insights and social media to micro-target and mobilise female voters for the BJP in the recent Indian .

How a Secret BJP War Room Mobilized Female Voters to Win the Indian Elections A sophisticated effort used technology to identify women who could bring other women out to vote—and offered a glimpse of the future of campaigning in India.

'Resilience policy is shaped by – and shapes – the ongoing effects of colonisation.’

Don't miss this new blog from Clement Amponsah, Research Student at ODID.

The article explores the reality of participatory spaces in the Global South that argue for climate justice and resilience.

His research in Ghana found that although community inclusion is encouraged, communities are barely recognised in the actual policymaking process.

The conversations are underpinned by a power imbalance where local voices are marginalised and cultures are homogenised in top-down planning.

Read in full: https://www.qeh.ox.ac.uk/blog/decolonising-resilience-urgent-need-think-beyond-inclusion

📢 Job Opportunity: Programme Manager at Young Lives - An International Study of Childhood Poverty!

We are hiring a Programme Manager to lead the governance and operational management of the Young Lives programme. This high-impact role involves overseeing the £9.4m FCDO-funded 'Young Lives at Work' project and other research grants.

You'll work closely with senior leadership and Country Directors to drive strategic and operational success.

We are looking for a graduate with proven leadership and extensive programme management experience, and excellent communication and analytical skills.

Ready to make a difference in international development?

📅 Apply by: 14 August

🔗 Application details: https://www.qeh.ox.ac.uk/vacancy/programme-manager-young-lives

Many congratulations to John Gledhill, Associate Professor of Global Governance, who has been awarded funding to explore the use of music as a tool in UN peacebuilding.

This will be the first project to document, analyse and categorise the ways in which UN actors have used music to support and facilitate peace.

The funding was awarded by Fundació Pau Casals - Museu, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Pau Casals Chair.

Find out more: https://www.qeh.ox.ac.uk/news/john-gledhill-wins-funding-project-explore-use-music-un-peacebuilding

📢 New Director for Young Lives - An International Study of Childhood Poverty

We are delighted to welcome Dr Marta Favara as the new Director of Young Lives! Dr Favara has been leading the quantitative research team since 2015 and currently holds the role of Director of Research.

We would also like to extend huge thanks to Professor Cath Porter for all her work leading Young Lives since 2021. We send her our very best wishes.

Find out more: https://www.qeh.ox.ac.uk/news/new-director-young-lives

🎉 Congratulations to Amogh Dhar Sharma on being awarded a prestigious Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship!

Amogh's project, which delves into the fascinating realm of opinion polls and psephology in Indian democracy, promises to shed light on crucial aspects of our electoral processes.

➡️ Dive deeper into his research journey here: https://www.qeh.ox.ac.uk/news/amogh-dhar-sharma-wins-leverhulme-early-career-fellowship-explore-role-opinion-polls-india

📢 Job Opportunity: OPHI Researcher 📢

The OPHI - Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative is seeking a to join their team, reporting to Dr Sabina Alkire.

This role has a research focus on social connectedness, well-being, and multidimensional and the postholder will coordinate collaboration with the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness.

Responsibilities include comprehensive analysis and research on complex issues using both quantitative and qualitative methods and writing reports and publications for media, policy, and academic audiences.

Candidates should have a master's degree in social policy, , development studies, or a related field.

Join us in our mission to understand and combat poverty.

📅 Application deadline: 2 August 2024
🔗 Apply here: https://www.qeh.ox.ac.uk/vacancy/researcher-oxford-poverty-and-human-development-initiative-ophi

🔍 Interested in the professionalisation of political communication in developing countries?

In a recent article based on his forthcoming book, "The Backstage of Democracy: India’s Election Campaigns and The People Who Manage Them," Amogh Dhar Sharma emphasises the importance of understanding the hidden organisational structures behind modern campaigns.

Sharma highlights the pivotal roles played by political consultants, social media experts, and technocrats in shaping political narratives.

He delves into India's election campaigns, providing valuable insights and recommendations for adaptive research methodologies suited to the unique challenges of the Global South.

Read the full article here 🔽

Sharma: Professionalization of Political Communication in Developing Countries – PolComm Professionalization of Political Communication in Developing Countries: Methodological Perspectives from India’s Election Campaigns[1] Amogh Dhar Sharma, University of Oxford http://dx.doi.org/10.17169/refubium-43529; PDF How does one study a “social media election”? What does fieldwork during...

📣 Don't miss this new article co-authored by Adeel Malik on 'Pakistan's Coming Crisis'.

What are the impacts of recent shifts in Pakistan’s social structures – including increased urbanisation, widespread technology and the growth of an ‘aspirational’ middle class?

How is this weakening traditional structures of political authority, including a loss of military legitimacy?

Could this instability lead to violence?

Read article in full:

Project MUSE - Pakistan's Coming Crisis This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Without cookies your experience may not be seamless.

📣 Job opportunity!

OPHI - Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative is hiring a Senior Research Officer.

You'll contribute substantially to shaping the research agenda at OPHI and lead on multidimensional measurement and analysis, including the global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) project.

You'll work closely with the OPHI Director and team, as well as supporting partners who are implementing OPHI methodologies. Plus, you'll participate in workshops, conferences, seminars, and collaborative work.

📅 Apply by 2 Aug

Find out more: https://www.qeh.ox.ac.uk/vacancy/senior-research-officer-oxford-poverty-and-human-development-initiative-ophi

Did you know that our students undertake fieldwork all over the world? 🌍

This map shows the huge range of research locations from 2023 ⬇️

If you’re thinking of applying to one of our courses, use our interactive map to find out about the global fieldwork projects from the last few years: https://www.qeh.ox.ac.uk/fieldwork-around-the-world

🎥 Curious about the impact of AI in the recent Indian elections? 🤔

This election season, AI's role has been pivotal, raising questions about its influence on electoral outcomes. From AI-generated videos of political leaders to concerns about election fraud through voice cloning, the landscape is rapidly evolving.

Amogh Dhar Sharma spoke to Uncut to unpack how AI technology was used to influence voter behaviour and outline his concerns over deepfakes.

Watch now to understand the future of elections in the AI era. 🌐

👉

Narendra Modi से Rahul Gandhi तक Indian Elections को कैसे प्रभावित कर रहे AI Videos | Documentary Narendra Modi से Rahul Gandhi तक Indian Elections को कैसे प्रभावित कर रहे AI Videos | Documentary #...

Immigration was a hot button issue in South Africa's recent elections.

Loren B Landau spoke to The World to explore whether immigrants are being used as scapegoats for the many challenges facing the country - including unemployment and problems with public services - and outlined the need for effective policy reform.

🎧 Listen now:

South African immigration dilemma - The World from PRX Like in the United States, immigration remains a hot-button political issue in South Africa. There are estimated to be millions of immigrants in South Africa from neighboring countries, in search of work and better livelihoods. Last year, South Africa’s president launched a border control unit to ...

📢 Are you passionate about communications?

We are looking for a Communications Manager to lead communications work for our world-leading department. This role offers the opportunity to shape comms activity, work closely with senior management, and drive transformative thinking and global change.

The Communications Manager will also liaise with communications staff in our research centres, ensuring a coordinated approach that meets strategic objectives.

The role combines strategic and operational responsibilities, requiring an innovative and flexible approach to developing new ideas.

If you have extensive communications experience and a creative mindset, we want to hear from you! Join us in fostering our strategic objectives and making a real impact.

📍Apply before: 1 July

🔗Job details: https://www.qeh.ox.ac.uk/vacancy/communications-manager

🚨 Is the presence of AI in elections a threat to democracy?

India's recent election was a hotbed of AI innovation and controversy, showcasing everything from personalised robocalls to deepfakes of political figures.

In a fascinating discussion on POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly talks to Amogh Dhar Sharma about AI in the political landscape and its implications for future elections worldwide.

Listen to the podcast here ➡️ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/politico-tech/id1500970749?i=1000657773639

‎POLITICO Tech: Inside India’s big, long, AI-filled election on Apple Podcasts ‎Show POLITICO Tech, Ep Inside India’s big, long, AI-filled election - Jun 4, 2024

📣 Only two days left to register for 'Africans and war in Vietnam: global protest, liberation politics and transnational soldiers'

How did Africans engage with wars in Vietnam, from military combatants to peace mediators?

How did these wars shape political and social change across Africa?

📍 26 -27 June, online and in-person

Full event information: https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/series/id/e04b3ffa-5efa-4cc7-ba30-01dc0bae1598

Which countries are competing for leadership in the 'Global South'?

Nikita Sud, Professor of the Politics of Development at ODID, spoke to BBC News Brasil about the political and economic positioning of China, India, Brazil and South Africa.

Read in full:

Quem compete com o Brasil pela liderança do 'Sul Global'? - BBC News Brasil Em um cenário internacional marcado por guerras e disputas geopolíticas e um contexto doméstico que requer cada vez mais atenção, qual é a força do Brasil na batalha pela liderança do 'Sul Global'?

📣 Just under a week until the conference 'Africans and war in Vietnam: global protest, liberation politics and transnational soldiers'

The event ‘seeks to create a new research agenda about Africa’s entanglements with wars in Vietnam by convening hitherto siloed scholars of America, Africa and Vietnam.’

📍 26 -27 June, Rothermere American Institute and online

Find out about the event, including panellists and discussion topics: https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/series/id/e04b3ffa-5efa-4cc7-ba30-01dc0bae1598

🚨 Conflict and climate shocks are fuelling a food poverty crisis, with over one in four children under 5 suffering severe hunger, says a new UNICEF report.

Marta Favara (Young Lives - An International Study of Childhood Poverty) and Sabina Alkire (OPHI - Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative) spoke to the Financial Times about the consequences of food poverty and the importance of finding powerful new policies to support people who live amid 'forgotten' wars and droughts.

Read more 🔗

Conflict and climate shocks fuel food poverty crises More than 25% of children under 5 years are suffering severe hunger, says Unicef report

Our new blog spotlights the latest issue of Forced Migration Review, featuring 24 articles that discuss how digital technologies are transforming the experiences of ⬇️

The edition covers topics as varied as geolocation tracking, biometric data use and digital financial systems.

The articles ask how these systems can be made equitable and unbiased in a way that will truly improve outcomes for forcibly displaced people.

Find out more: https://www.qeh.ox.ac.uk/blog/how-digital-technologies-are-transforming-refugees-experiences

🌍 Are you interested in the innovative solutions being developed to tackle energy challenges in the Amazon? 🌿

The Amazon faces substantial challenges in access to sustainable and clean energy. In response, the Universidade Estadual de Campinas in Brazil has pioneered a Sustainable Campus Project.

It aims to develop renewable energy microgrids and promote education for a just energy transition, empowering youth and supporting Sustainable Development Goals.

Our recent event featured presentations from members of UNICAMP, the UFAM - Universidade Federal do Amazonas and Oxford Department of International Development.

📺 Watch the recording on YouTube:

Just energy transition in the Amazon Contributions and interdisciplinary dialogue between engineering, and human and social sciencesThe Amazon faces substantial challenges in terms of access to...

Take a look into some key findings from a study on microfinance programmes, co-authored by Muhammad Meki ⬇️

The researchers offered microcredit clients in Pakistan the chance to finance a business asset worth four times their usual borrowing limit, via a hire-purchase contract.

The American Economic Association highlighted the research with a featured chart - showing the treated group increased spending on household consumption and schooling.

Find out more:

Restructuring microcredit contracts Can larger financial packages lead to sustained improvements in performance?

🎉 Congratulations to the team at OxValue.AI for winning the 'Outstanding AI Project Implementation Award' at the in Paris!

This prestigious award recognises the team's exceptional innovation, dedication, and expertise in implementing AI-based ideas from concept to ex*****on.

OxValue.AI, a spinout from research led by Professor Xiaolan Fu, uses big data and artificial intelligence to evaluate the monetary value of technology or technology-rich start-up companies.

Their approach is more affordable and accurate than previous methods, with a remarkable accuracy rate of over 90% across various industries.

🔗 Learn more: https://ow.ly/OzsP50SbhQv

'Tackling the cause of cartel violence may seem noble. But it places the blame on young people and their conditions rather than addressing the structural inequalities in Mexican society.'

Raúl Zepeda Gil writes for The Conversation UK about governmental efforts to reduce the recruitment of young people into Mexican cartels.

His research has found that many homicide inmates were not 'idle' before joining gangs, but in fact were working in precarious conditions that offered few opportunities for social mobility.

Read in full:

Mexican government failing to provide decent jobs for vulnerable youth – leaving the door open to cartel recruitment Many young Mexican men that are working in precarious conditions are drawn into the fold of drug cartels.

This week saw the biggest election in Mexico's history. Raúl Zepeda Gil spoke to The Guardian's 'First Edition' newsletter to discuss the challenges and opportunities that Claudia Sheinbaum faces.

He explores the wider issues of women's rights policies, political violence, economic growth, and the upcoming US election.

Read in full ➡

Tuesday briefing: How a leftwing climate scientist became Mexico’s new president In today’s newsletter: After a landslide victory, Claudia Sheinbaum is Mexico’s first female, and Jewish, leader – and her problems have only just started