Our research goals
Our research serves three main purposes:
- to deepen the understanding of development processes and practices.
- to interrogate the theoretical underpinnings development thinking and collective action in the public sector, civil society and private sector.
- to strengthen DPU teaching, capacity building and advisory work.
DPU Research Clusters
The DPU has four research clusters, each with sub-clusters that reflect the development of different strands of our work.
They operate as hubs for interdisciplinary discussion and thinking between staff members and research students. They also offer platforms for the development of collaborative research ideas, methodologies and activities.
Environmental justice, urbanisation and resilience
In recent years, the role of cities in sustainable development has been acknowledged to a higher degree within both academic and development communities.
Urban transformations
Rapid urbanisation is placing cities of the global South at the core of the developmental agenda for the 21st century.
Social Diversity in Planning Practice
This research cluster focuses on the following social complexity in policy planning and methodology and divided cities and post-conflict resolutions.
State and market
This cluster provides a forum for discussion and developing collaborative research ideas on long-term approaches to the governance of development transitions.