The status of development and development studies: Proceedings of the 50th anniversary symposium of the Centre for Development Studies at the University of Bath.

The symposium brought together past and present staff and students of development studies at the University of Bath to participate in two panel-led sessions: the first on the current state of international development practice and the second on prospects for development studies. This summary includes edited versions of what each panel members said, and of the discussions these triggered. The event was opened by Phil Taylor, the University of Bath’s Vice Chancellor, who declared a strong interest in international development issues stemming from his early research into appropriate renewable energy systems for remote areas. He noted that CDS at fifty continues to thrive and grow, delivering research funded from prestigious sources including UKRI, the European Research Council, and Leverhulme Trust. Aurelie Charles, Co-director of CDS, elaborated on current activities of CDS. Ongoing research projects cover humanitarian action and the politics of famine, sustainability of food and critical minerals value chains, China’s investment in green development, and business start-ups in South Africa’s townships. Teaching also continues to thrive, with around two thousand students now having graduated from Bath with a degree that includes ‘development’ in its title (see Appendix). She drew particular attention to the value of alumni support for student work placements and doctoral field work through the Bath Research into Development (BRID) Fund.