Towards Collaborative Research in International Development: The Central Role of Social Science

The new millennium has witnessed profound changes to the way donor countries are approaching international development - with the emphasis now on collaborative, people-centred development. This timely book explores how research and research culture need to adapt to mesh with this new reality.

John Spriggs, Barbara Chambers and Carole Kayrooz offer their unique perspective based on their experience working in agricultural and rural development in the Indo-Pacific region. They provide a unique take on the historical context of research to support agricultural and rural development tracing its evolution following World War 2. Advocating for the critical role of social science, the authors argue that the old, technocratic approach to research should be left behind as we explore and advance a new approach to research that reflects a collaborative, people-centred development strategy. This cutting-edge book provides a step-by-step approach, based on their Collaborative Research in International Development (CRID) research model.

Pioneering the most up-to-date approaches to international development research, Towards Collaborative Research in International Development is crucial reading for researchers at all levels working in the field, particularly those working in national research bodies. Postgraduate students of development studies will also benefit from this book's critical insights and guidance for research methods.

John Spriggs, Adjunct Professor, Barbara Chambers, Adjunct Professor, Centre for Sustainable Communities, University of Canberra and Carole Kayrooz, Emeritus Professor, University of Canberra, Australia