About us
DevNet connects academics, students and development practitioners to facilitate the exchange of ideas, information and research.
The Aotearoa New Zealand International Development Studies Network links people and organisations involved and interested in the broad field of international development in Aotearoa New Zealand and the wider world…
CONFERENCES
DevNet’s conferences have been held biennially since 1998. Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest, regular conference on international development, provides a great opportunity for people from Aotearoa, the Pacific and others to learn from each other and from international experts. Keynote speakers have…
RESOURCES
eSocSci is an interactive knowledge space for communicating social science research and bringing together people who have common research interests in Aotearoa New Zealand. It includes an eLibrary of working papers on topic related to a variety of topics including migration, health, education…
PROF. ANTHONY BEBBINGTON
Director of the Graduate School of Geography, Clark University, MA, USA
MICHAEL EDWARDS
Director of the Governance and Civil Society Unit at the Ford Foundation
📣 Only 28 days to go until the DevNet2024 Conference – Shifting Landscapes of Development, Future Possibilities for Change, happening from 4-6 December 2024 at the University of Otago! 🎉
📢 Attention Postgraduate Students: To ensure each presenter has a session suited to their style, we invite you to complete our Session Preference Form by Friday, 8 November, 5:00 PM NZT.
This form helps us understand if you'd prefer to present in a Postgrad Student Session (5-minute talk + 5-minute Q&A, with monetary prizes for top Master and PhD presenters) or a Standard Session (15-minute talk + 5-minute Q&A, no prizes), or if you have no preference.
👉 Fill out the form here: forms.office.com/r/XSBCaPrqyz
We look forward to seeing everyone shine in a session that fits them best!
We are pleased to share the story of another DevNet New Zealand Postgraduate Student Development Field Research Award recipient, James Stiefvater, PhD Student at Massey University. James's research topic is Otonomi bilong wanem? Autonomy for what?: The interfaces of identity, development, and decentralisation in Papua New Guinea.
"I have always been fascinated with how collective identities are formed and expressed. This opportunity allowed me to investigate the formation, importance, and expression of identities and policies in Papua New Guinea. Although I am not from Papua New Guinea, the country is close to my heart as my wife is from there and I have developed relationships and spent time there.
This research was wholly dependent on relationships and as such it was important to adopt an appropriate methodology. The use of tok stori as a research methodology is a fast-growing topic among researchers and practitioners working in places that speak Neo-Melanesian Creoles. In my family and area of work we speak Papua New Guinea Tok Pisin in the style of the New Guinea Islands. Tok stori allows for researchers to connect and build relationships with people by speaking the same language—an important aspect of relationality in PNG. My ability to speak the language and relationships with family and friends allowed me to learn from people in several unique places and ways. These opportunities often came in unexpected ways and times, including on the roadside, while travelling in a bus, and while sitting in the cooking house.
The timeframe of this work has been heavily affected by circumstances beyond the control of any one person. Delays from the combination of Covid-19 and bureaucratic obstacles in obtaining the necessary visa for research were frustrating at times, but the result opened opportunities that would not otherwise have been available. This included time spent participating in customary practices and ceremonies as well as chance meetings with individuals. From this I have learned to trust the process and to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations while expecting the unexpected.
I am grateful to DevNet for the financial assistance in this research. Unfortunately, life in Papua New Guinea is very expensive, and travel there even more so. This grant made my work much more affordable—something very important to me as I am funding this degree through personal funds and student loans. I am also grateful for the support and efforts of gracious supervisors: Glenn Banks, Gerard Prinsen, Lorena de la Torre Parra, and Alexander Mawyer."
To read James's policy brief, please visit:
devnet.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/JStiefvater_DevNet-Policy-Brief-2024.docx
Please note that applications for the current DevNet/MFAT New Zealand Postgraduate Development Field Research Awards 2024 are open until 15 January 2025. For further information, check out our website:
devnet.org.nz/development-studies-postgraduate-research-awards/
Photo: James with chiefs and community members at Paghui Village, Wisai, Bougainville.
Priyam Maharaj is a PhD student at the University of Otago. She has been awarded the DevNet/MFAT New Zealand Postgraduate Development Field Research Award to conduct her field research in Fiji. Priyam's research topic is: Being Boys: Social Constructions of Boyhood in Fiji. Please find her story below:
"I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to my supervisors, the University of Otago, DevNet, and the Fiji Ministry of Education for their invaluable support. This research would not have been possible without the generous funding from DevNet and MFAT, which was crucial to its success. I would also like to convey my gratitude to the heads of schools, staff, and students who participated in this study. Thank you for your candor, generosity, and kindness in accommodating me.
Returning to Fiji to conduct this study and working closely with children and young people has been an enriching and rewarding experience. The challenges of researching in school settings have enhanced my skills as a researcher and deepened my enjoyment of the process. The research was carried out during two separate trips, each lasting two months. I spent time at four different schools (three secondary and one primary), conducting focus groups and interviews with 62 boys and three teachers. I was also fortunate to observe various aspects of boys' lives and practices during excursions and sporting events. This experience significantly expanded my understanding of the social fabric in which their identities are formed and lived.
The relationships I built with the boys in this study, along with their openness in sharing their experiences, can enhance our understanding of young masculinities and child-centered research methodology."
To read Priyam's policy brief, please visit: devnet.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/NZPG-Policy-Brief-Final-Priyam-Maharaj-2024.docx
Please note that applications for the current DevNet/MFAT New Zealand Postgraduate Development Field Research Awards 2024 are open until 15 January 2025. For further information, check out our website:
devnet.org.nz/development-studies-postgraduate-research-awards/
Shall I apply for the grant?
Congratulations Priyam! So proud of you!
Congratulations Priyam!!
Excellent Priyam - congratulations 👏
Awesome
Hurry up – only 9 days left to register for the DevNet 2024 Conference at the early bird rate!
To register, please go to: www.otago.ac.nz/conference/devnet/
The Conference Grant results have been announced. Thanks to the generous grant from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, we are able to support 21 postgraduate students studying at New Zealand universities and 15 researchers, policymakers, and postgraduate students from the Pacific to attend the conference in Dunedin, New Zealand, in person.
While we strive to support Pacific participants, due to the high volume of applications for the Grant, we were only able to provide funding for a limited number of Pacific participants. However, we are waiving the registration fees for all participants joining from the Pacific, and we hope this will assist Pacific participants in attending the conference. Please email Devnet2024@otago.ac.nz for a voucher for free registration.
We look forward to welcoming you all to the conference, either virtually or in person.