Our History

Est. 1967

Our School's history began in 1967, when a consultancy group called the Overseas Development Group formed within the School of Social Studies (in those days known as SOC) at UEA.

Then, like today, the Overseas Development Group was an institutional mechanism to enable academics to engage in research, policy and consultancy work in the South and to enrich the learning experience of students by bringing examples of current practice into the lecture theatre.

In 2009 the School changed its name to the School of International Development, and the Overseas Development Group changed its name to International Development UEA (or DEVco as we now call it). The School has 8 undergraduate courses, including a BA Geography and International Development which began in 2013, and 13 postgraduate courses. It has nearly 50 academic staff, over 350 undergraduate students, nearly 200 postgraduate students and over 30 PhD students.

In 2023, to celebrate 50 years of DEV, the school has changed its name to the School of Global Development. It remains internationally renowned for the quality of its research and teaching.

Timeline

Get an overview of our history on the timeline below.

Herstories + Histories

For a fuller overview of our School's History, please download Herstories + Histories - 50 years of Dev #1973.

1967
Overseas Development Group established
The Overseas Development Group (ODG) was formed within the School of Social Studies at UEA. ODG enabled academics to engage in research, policy and consultancy work.
1973
School of Development Studies established
The first undergraduate degree in Development Studies in Britain. The School was based in prefabs in the University Village.
1982
Royal Agricultural Show
DEV staff and students (plus Gunder and Frank, two Hereford x Freisan bullocks) were introduced to the Queen and Peter Walker (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries).
1984
DEV moves to the main campus
DEV moves onto the main campus, saying goodbye to their previous home in the University Village.
1997
International Development Secretary visits
International Development Secretary, Claire Short officially opened the new DEV farm. This was the third time to farm has moved since DEV degrees began in 1973.
2009
Queen's Anniversary Prize
In 2009 our School of International Development received the highest National Honour awarded to UK colleges and universities - ‘The interdisciplinary approach of the University’s School of International Development has produced pioneering research into the links between resources management, poverty alleviation and wider political economy. Alongside many other projects, it has had considerable success in tackling land and forest degradation and water conservation in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The University has also established a not-for-profit organisation to maximise the School’s practical contribution to global development in an age of climate change.’
2011
Water Security Research Centre formed
Founded in 2011, the Water Security Research Centre (WSRC) brings together researchers from across the University of East Anglia to address the theoretical, practical, and policy challenges of managing and governing water for different human, economic and environmental needs from the local to the global scales.
2011
Global Environmental Justice Group formed
An interdisciplinary team of UEA researchers, the Global Environmental Justice Group, focuses on the links between social justice and climatic/environmental change at local to global scales. Their founding principle is that sustainable development can only succeed if justice issues lie at the heart of environmental governance, with a particular emphasis on promoting the needs and voices of those suffering from poverty and disempowerment. They envision and support more effective forms of environmental governance and social mobilisation in countries across the world through research, engagement, international conferences and online teaching programmes.
2021
DEV is 1st on the Research Excellence Framework
The School of International Development was ranked first for overall research quality, impact, environment and outputs in development studies (Times Higher REF Analysis 2021). 91% of research was judged as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.
2023
50th Anniversary and rebrand
From 1 August 2023 we will be called the School of Global Development.
This allows us to recognise that the real challenge for a just and fair world is to delve into the complexities of global problems and discover opportunities for creating more sustainable and equitable futures for all.

Our History

Timeline

1967

Overseas Development Group established

1973

School of Development Studies established

1982

Royal Agricultural Show

1984

DEV moves to the main campus

1997

International Development Secretary visits

2009

Queen's Anniversary Prize

2011

Water Security Research Centre formed

2011

Global Environmental Justice Group formed

2021

DEV is 1st on the Research Excellence Framework

2023

50th Anniversary and rebrand