Institute of Development Studies

Teaching and Training

Teaching, Training and Mentoring

Building expertise and knowledge on climate change and its implications for development is central to reducing poverty. That is why IDS offers teaching, training and mentoring on the practical and theoretical linkages between climate change and development. Our courses promote debate and the co-creation of knowledge on climate change so that development professionals can address climate change challenges in their fields of work.

Climate Change and Disasters: IDS Masters Course Module

The Climate Change and Disasters course is available as an elective summer module under any of the seven Masters courses on offer at IDS. Using a blend of IDS and guest seminars, the course takes a development perspective on climate change theory, policy and practice. Current climate variability and future climate change impacts have pronounced effects on poorer households, communities and societies. Preventing dangerous human interference with the climate system, and adapting to inevitable impacts therefore present an unprecedented challenge for eliminating global poverty.

The course provides a grounding in the UN Climate Change Convention, using its process to highlight the inter-relationship with development policy and practice. It covers theory and practice issues relating to climate adaptation and low carbon development, linking to the institutions and practices of disaster risk reduction and climate resilient development. The course links these topics to a variety of theoretical perspectives, climate governance at different spatial scales, finance and technology, and development policy and practice.  For more information about the course, including how to apply for our Masters programmes, please see our teaching pages.

Applicants interested in pursuing climate research through the DPhil programme or through visiting scholarships are encouraged to contact one of the IDS Climate Change Fellows.

Short courses and Training Events

Climate Training and mentoring forms a central component of many of the IDS climate change research and advisory projects. IDS offers tailor-made training packages upon request. IDS’s growing team of climate change experts works closely with the University of Sussex, drawing on a broad range of academic and technical expertise through the Climate Change and Development Centre to design and deliver these. Upcoming courses and events in the UK and elsewhere will be posted on this website periodically.

Visiting Fellows

We welcome applications from Visiting Fellows working in fields relating to expertise of climate change researchers at IDS. Applicants should approach individual fellows directly after having read the guidance on visiting fellows on the IDS website.

For further information on Climate Change work at IDS, please e-mail climatechange@ids.ac.uk