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Structural Constraints, Practical Possibilities: Reflections from a Graduate School in Development Research

Rohne Till, Emelie LU ; Jönsson, Kristina LU ; Sjögren, Anders ; Söderbaum, Fredrik ; Dzanku, Fred ; Thapar-Björkert, Suruchi and Skoglöw, Matilda LU (2026) In Högre utbildning 16(1). p.1-9
Abstract (Swedish)
This essay reflects on the Development Research School, a research school launched in 2022 by Lund University, Uppsala University, the University of Gothenburg, and the University of Ghana. Using this case, the essay explores two central themes: how research schools can add value to PhD education, and the particular challenges of running such a school in the field of development research. Based on the experience of designing and implementing the school, the essay discusses four central challenges: recruiting and retaining PhD students,
coordinating international and cross-institutional collaboration, delivering relevant content to a diverse student body, and ensuring longevity beyond the initial funding period. The essay also discusses... (More)
This essay reflects on the Development Research School, a research school launched in 2022 by Lund University, Uppsala University, the University of Gothenburg, and the University of Ghana. Using this case, the essay explores two central themes: how research schools can add value to PhD education, and the particular challenges of running such a school in the field of development research. Based on the experience of designing and implementing the school, the essay discusses four central challenges: recruiting and retaining PhD students,
coordinating international and cross-institutional collaboration, delivering relevant content to a diverse student body, and ensuring longevity beyond the initial funding period. The essay also discusses the pragmatic strategies we adopted in response, including open recruitment, decentralized course delivery, flexible program design, and deliberate legacy planning. While our experience of running the Development Research School illustrates the potential of research schools to add value to PhD education, it also underscores the structural and
financial constraints that limit their long-term integration and institutionalization. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
in press
subject
in
Högre utbildning
volume
16
issue
1
pages
1 - 9
publisher
Swednet
ISSN
2000-7558
DOI
10.23865/hu.v16.7380
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
485fa5d3-9594-4f6d-9827-486e085e73f9
date added to LUP
2026-03-25 10:53:21
date last changed
2026-03-27 15:39:16
@article{485fa5d3-9594-4f6d-9827-486e085e73f9,
  abstract     = {{This essay reflects on the Development Research School, a research school launched in 2022 by Lund University, Uppsala University, the University of Gothenburg, and the University of Ghana. Using this case, the essay explores two central themes: how research schools can add value to PhD education, and the particular challenges of running such a school in the field of development research. Based on the experience of designing and implementing the school, the essay discusses four central challenges: recruiting and retaining PhD students,<br/>coordinating international and cross-institutional collaboration, delivering relevant content to a diverse student body, and ensuring longevity beyond the initial funding period. The essay also discusses the pragmatic strategies we adopted in response, including open recruitment, decentralized course delivery, flexible program design, and deliberate legacy planning. While our experience of running the Development Research School illustrates the potential of research schools to add value to PhD education, it also underscores the structural and<br/>financial constraints that limit their long-term integration and institutionalization.}},
  author       = {{Rohne Till, Emelie and Jönsson, Kristina and Sjögren, Anders and Söderbaum, Fredrik and Dzanku, Fred and Thapar-Björkert, Suruchi and Skoglöw, Matilda}},
  issn         = {{2000-7558}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{1--9}},
  publisher    = {{Swednet}},
  series       = {{Högre utbildning}},
  title        = {{Structural Constraints, Practical Possibilities: Reflections from a Graduate School in Development Research}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.23865/hu.v16.7380}},
  doi          = {{10.23865/hu.v16.7380}},
  volume       = {{16}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}