Experiences from the first PhD conference organised by the School of Global Studies and SweDev.
Photo: Kenny Eliason / Unsplash
‘As a participant of the SweDev PhD conference in 2022 I was enlightened with new perspectives on development research. The conference had a wide scope and was inclusive and diverse. The participants fostered a good environment for dialogue and discussions, and I left Gothenburg with new perspective and ideas’
Max Rosvall, PhD student at the Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Uppsala University
The first PhD Conference of the Swedish Development Research Network (SweDev) was organised by the School of Global Studies (SGS), University of Gothenburg, on 1-2 December 2022. The conference provided doctoral students with an open and inclusive space to meet and discuss their work with their peers. In the aftermath of a global pandemic that severely limited academic mobility and exchange, the conference also provided opportunities to create connections and build networks as early career scholars.
The conference was a great opportunity to meet several PhDs from throughout Sweden. I hope we will find a way to collaborate and work together in the future. I think networks like this are invaluable.’
Fisseha Tefera, PhD student at SGS, University of Gothenburg
Nearly 30 doctoral students from 11 universities participated in the conference, which was organised into 7 paper sessions on themes ranging from environmental challenges and global health to post-colonial critiques and economic development.
The keynote speech delivered by Anja Karlsson Franck focused on the subaltern’s agency through the role of humour and laughter in situations of despair and hopelessness. The conference also included a capacity-building session on publication strategies as well as discussions on the recently launched Development Research School, which also co-funded the conference.
‘I really enjoyed the conference! I participated in order to be in an interdisciplinary space together with other doctoral students researching something related to development studies. The atmosphere was friendly but still provided plenty of space for critical and dynamic discussions on our respective research’
Linn Ternsjö, PhD student at the Department of Economic History, Lund University
After two constructive and intense days of exchange, the conference ended with PhD students expressing an urge for future exchanges, seminars and conferences that provide spaces to present and enrich their research and for further network-building.
Written by Amalie Weinrich, Doctoral Student, School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg.
Are you a PhD student with an interest in the governance of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals? The Development Research School is launching two new PhD courses taking place in spring 2023.