International Development

Examines the complex problems of poverty and injustice in the developing world and is dedicated to exploring solutions to improving development prospects for the world poor.

Research

International Development research in Trinity College is clustered around the three themes of Health, Technology and Social Protection and Justice.

1. Health

The Centre for Global Health is an interdisciplinary Centre whose primary focus is on strengthening health systems in low and middle income countries and addresses issues in access and delivery of health services, including contextual and environmental issues in scale up, effective use of human resources, barriers to access particularly for vulnerable and marginalised groups, and constraints to policy implementation and knowledge flows.

2. Technology

Research within the Technology cluster involves the use of science and engineering to both identify and provide appropriate solutions to many of the fundamental problems facing the poor and marginalized members of society in developing countries. Much of the research in this cluster focuses upon different parts of the water cycle, particularly with respect to human needs (i.e. drinking, cooking, washing etc) whether it be in terms of water resources (surface water or groundwater), water treatment and storage, more efficient use of water, appropriate sanitation and wastewater disposal or water and wastewater reuse. Research interests also focus on the sustainable development of agriculture, again particularly with respect to water resources. Other research has focused on alternative sources of energy such as the use of efficient biomass stoves for co-generation of electricity for lighting and the use of solar energy for water purification.

3. Social Protection and Justice

Social protection and justice research focuses on examining the multi-dimensions of poverty, under-development and justice in developing countries and the related policy and institutional responses. Important issues in areas such as social, economic and political poverty are being examined, while efforts are also being made to help find solutions to improve development prospects for the world poor. Researchers also investigate the social and political consequences of climate change, in addition to governance and conflict reflecting on how governing institutions form and operate across developing countries. Researchers from a number of Trinity’s Schools and Departments participate in this research cluster such as Social Sciences (economics, political science and sociology), Business, Law, Natural Sciences (Geography) and the School of Ecumenics.

Benefit to Society

Researchers in this Theme largely focus on solution-based research that generates policy and knowledge which informs programmes, and trains the next generation of scholars and practitioners.
For example, research by the Centre for Global Health led to the development of a policy analysis framework which has been used to revise the National Health Policy and the National Health Research Policy of Malawi. Research into the provision of clean water and sanitation and alternative sources of energy by the Technology cluster has contributed directly toward the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in African countries. Researchers in the Social Protection and Justice cluster have developed new tools and perspectives to address the scourge of conflict through research on African political violence.

Research at Trinity

The Trinity International Development Initiative (TIDI) forms an overarching structure to coordinating and promoting International Development Research and education at Trinity. TIDI is a College wide initiative involving all three Faculties and multiple disciplines. It is a key enabler in attracting world class researchers and collaborators to Trinity and in giving visibility to and engaging with stakeholders and policy makers. International Development Research is formally recognised by the University as a priority research area with capacity and scale.

Research Champion

The research champion for this theme is Professor Carol Newman.