Doctorate
Become part of the first Canadian PhD Program in
International Development Studies
International Development Studies (IDS) at Guelph offers a new PhD program that is a first of its kind in Canada. This collaborative PhD program provides an opportunity for advanced students to engage with multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary development theories and to conduct research on international development issues based on approaches of selected academic disciplines. “Collaborative” in this context means that the program adds an interdisciplinary IDS focus to a disciplinary PhD program. Students receive a PhD degree in their selected discipline with the added designation “International Development Studies”. This PhD degree provides necessary discipline-based qualifications for the academic job market. The degree is also designed to strengthen the theoretical foundation of development practitioners.
Based on the successful model of the Collaborative Master’s program, IDS links together discipline-based PhD programs to provide a focal point for advanced research on international development issues. Based on the experience of faculty advisors in key collaborating departments, the program focuses on issues arising in international political economy, food security, environmental dynamics and governance, long-term economic change, and other interdisciplinary cutting-edge topics in international development.
The program is designed to attract students from diverse cultural, academic and professional backgrounds who have a track record of intellectual or practical engagement with issues arising in some area of international development. The program allows Canadian and international students to pursue development-related doctoral research associated with their discipline, and it prepares them for academic careers and/or careers in the field of development practice.
