SOAS Development for Transformation Centre (DevTraC)
Overview
SOAS DevTraC (SOAS Development for Transformation Centre) is located in the Department of Development Studies. It draws upon the department’s cutting edge research and thematic and regional expertise, to address today’s crucial development challenges. The centre builds upon long term partnerships with policy-makers, development agencies, civil society organisations and activists who live in, or work on, the regions studied at SOAS.
SOAS DevTraC was previously known as the Centre for Development Policy and Research (CDPR).
Aims
SOAS DevTraC aims to harness research, evidence and knowledge exchange to contribute towards more just, equitable and sustainable forms of global development by:
- Engaging in innovative policy-oriented research on crucial development issues
- Promoting spaces for ‘critical conversations’ between researchers, policy makers and practitioners and activists
- Facilitating research and knowledge exchange within the international development arena
Activities
Partnering with UN regional organisations to amplify global perspectives
In collaboration with the UN regional office, the centre organised the launch of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA) report, "World Development Challenges: Development Progress from a Broader Lens". The report proposes a new lens for measuring development in the form of a development challenges index (DCI), which aims to capture the complex challenges facing developed and developing countries.
Delivering research and evidence-based perspectives and policy recommendations
The centre delivers research and evidence-based perspectives and policy recommendations, including the Research Evidence Facility (REF). Research projects will be added as they develop.
Fostering "critical conversations"
The Centre for the Study of Illicit Economies, Violence and Development, and the RUSI, are organising a series of six seminars which will bring together academics, students, policy makers and practitioners with an interest and engagement in questions of illicit economies, violence and development. Learn about the CIVAD-RUSI seminar series ‘Illicit economies, violence and development’ here.
Members
Team
All staff of the Department of Development Studies are members of the SOAS DevTraC. Key SOAS DevTraC contacts are:
- Jonathan Goodhand (SOAS DevTraC Director) jg27@soas.ac.uk
- Haben Hill (SOAS DevTraC Coordinator) hh32@soas.ac.uk
