Centre of Development Studies

Centre of Development Studies

The Centre of Development Studies provides a focus for the study of social and economic development at Cambridge. Our interdisciplinary MPhil and PhD programmes are designed to keep pace with the evolving landscape of the developing world.

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Welcome to the Centre of Development Studies (CDS)

CDS offers world-class interdisciplinary postgraduate research and a legacy of excellence in global development.

Read more about our history and purpose How to find us

Fieldwork photo (Emilio Garciadiego)

Study with us

The Centre of Development Studies provides a focus for students wishing to undertake an MPhil or a PhD in the area of development.

MPhil in Development Studies PhD in Development Studies

Events

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Queens’-CDS Distinguished Annual Lecture: Extraction - The Frontiers of Green Capitalism

8 Mar 2026 5:00pm to 6:30pm Fitzpatrick Hall, Queens' College

CDS Seminar Event - The Payback of Decolonization: Capital Expropriations and Postcolonial Linkages

5 Mar 2026 3:00pm to 5:00pm SG1/2

CDS Seminar Event - Transformations From Below: On the Role of Social Struggles and Resistances for Sustainability and Environmental Justice

26 Feb 2026 3:00pm to 5:00pm SG1/2

CDS Seminar Event - Willpower without courage: pressure, self-blame, and life experiments among young professionals in China

19 Feb 2026 3:00pm to 5:00pm SG1/2

Mediating anticipated deaths: new forms of mediator deathwork in the case of “lonely death” in Japan

18 Feb 2026 4:00pm to 5:00pm SG1/2

CDS Seminar Event - Laboring Liberation: The Jerusalem Electricity Company Workers’ Strike of 1979

12 Feb 2026 3:00pm to 5:00pm SG1/2

Cambridge Society for Social & Economic Development (CAMSED)

CAMSED's purpose is to create a space for multidisciplinary academic discussion around the subject of development.

Become a part of our alumni group

We love to connect with our alumni and aim to facilitate connection and exchanges between our alumni as well as our current students.

What do our graduates go on to do after studying with us?

Read more about our graduates who have gone on to pursue a careers in humanitarian relief, renewable energy, education, and economic development.

News

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12 Jan 2026

PhD Student Biagio Rosso selected for European Central Bank PhD Traineeship

Biagio Rosso

11 Nov 2025

Dr Ilias Alami Wins Book Prize

Ilias Alami with book

25 Sep 2025

Dr Marthe Achtnich Publishes New Essay

28 Jul 2025

Development Studies PhD Student Biagio Rosso Publishes New Article

Biagio Rosso

13 Jun 2025

Dr Jostein Hauge Makes a Guest Appearance on the Sinica Podcast

Jostein Hauge - Sinica

13 Jun 2025

Dr Jostein Hauge Publishes New Article