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International Development (PhD)

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The School of International Development and Global Studies (SIDGS) offers an interdisciplinary graduate program leading to the degree of PhD in International Development. The program caters to students from both academic and professional backgrounds, and is offered in both English and French. In accordance with the University of Ottawa regulation, students have the right to produce their work, their thesis, and to answer examination questions in French or in English. The program is offered on a full-time basis.

Two fields are offered in the PhD program:

Development Theory and Critique
Development Policy and Practice

Further information on the fields and research interests of the professors is posted on the program website.

The program operates within the framework of the General Regulations of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS), which are posted on the FGPS website.

Search all research fields for members of the teaching staff

The professors included in the list below are members of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. This means that they are authorized to supervise or co-supervise theses. A complete list of the faculty and staff members associated with the program can be found at http://www.sciencessociales.uottawa.ca/dvm/graduate-studies

ABRAHAMSEN, Rita, Full Professor
African Politics; Democratization; Security and Development; Security Privatization; Postcolonial Theory

ABU-ZAHRA, Nadia, Assistant Professor
Identity documentation; Barriers to migration studies; Family reunification in international migration policy; Critical security studies; Emergency management;Geographies of health and health systems; Global education, Ethics in research and development

ARY TANIMOUNE, Nasser, Assistant Professor
Economic policies of developing countries; Economics of development

BARANYI, Stephen, Associate Professor
Peacebuilding; security sector reform and fragile states; Canada’s international policies; UN and regional organisations, peace and security roles

BEAUDET, Pierre, Associate Professor
International Development; International cooperation; Africa and Middle East;

BETCHERMAN, Gordon, Full Professor
Labour economics; Labour market policy; Social policy; Demography and economic development; Poverty and vulnerability

CHONG, Alberto, Full Professor
Development economics; Political economy; Public economics; Applied econometrics, Latin America

DESROSIERS, Marie-Eve, Assistant Professor
Political crises and civil conflicts; Identity and contentious politics; Engagements with political authority

FLOREZ-MALAGON, Alberto, Associate Professor
Culture and power; cultural studies and cultural history; postcolonial and subaltern studies

HASLAM, Paul, Associate Professor
State-firm relations in Latin America; Corporate social responsability; Regulation of foreign direct investment; Institutions and governance of the inter-American system

LEBLOND, Jean-Philippe, Assistant Professor
Development-environment relations; Rural livelihoods; Environmental and natural resources problems; Political ecology; Thailand; Southeast Asia

MARSCHKE REDWOOD, Melissa, Associate Professor
Sustainability; Fisheries and aquaculture; Environmental change; Resource governance; Greater Mekong Region

MARTINEZ, Andrea, Full Professor
Gender; Equity and international development; Women, micro-credit and empowerment; Sexual and reproductive health

MUNRO, Lauchlan Thomas, Associate Professor
Poverty, human rights and social protection; The economics of risk and uncertainty; Public sector management, especially aid effectiveness; Children and development policy

NAKACHE, Delphine, Assistant Professor
Securitization of migration and citizenship policies; Human rights of migrants and internally displaced persons; Labour migration; immigration federalism; Cultural theory of law

RAMISCH, Joshua, Associate Professor
Applied anthropology; Community-based development: Kenya, Mali, Sub-Saharan Africa; Development communications

RÉGNIER, Philippe, Full Professor
Socio-economic development of emerging countries (Asia in particular); Globalisation; private sector development; small and medium-sized enterprises and internationalization in emerging countries; Development finance; corporate citizenship and ethics

SPRONK, Susan, Assistant Professor
Latin America, particularly Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru; Labour and social movements; Neoliberalism and the privatization of public services in developing countries

SRIVASTAVA, Prachi, Associate Professor
Applications of new institutional theory to education governance; Education reform in conflict-affected countries; public-private partnerships in education provision

ZYLA, Benjamin, Assistant Professor
Global governance; Human rights and security; International peace operations; Humanitarian interventions; Canadian foreign policy, Europe, Afghanistan

Admission to the PhD program is governed by the general regulations of the FGPS.

To be considered for admission, applicants must:

Hold a master’s degree or equivalent in International Development Studies or in a related discipline. Examples of related disciplines include Economics, Education, Geography, Law, Political Science, Sociology and Anthropology.
Have achieved a minimum average of 75% (B+) calculated in accordance with FGPS guidelines.
Demonstrate strong potential for advanced research.
Provide three confidential letters of recommendation.
Provide a CV and a statement of purpose outlining their career goals.
Identify at least one professor in the program whose research interests correspond to theirs.
Provide a detailed draft of their proposed research project.

Language Requirements

An active knowledge of French or English is essential. Applicants must indicate in their application the language in which they intend to take the majority of their courses. Applicants whose first language is other than English or French and who have completed their BA and MA degrees in a language other than English or French must provide proof of their level of competence in one of these languages. In the case of English, applicants must have a TOEFL score of 100 or an equivalent score on another test. In the case of French, the applicant must obtain a level of F7 on the Immersion Admission Test administered by the University of Ottawa’s Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI). The School of International Development and Global Studies (SIDGS) reserves the right to conduct an interview and to require a test in either language. If a student’s doctoral research requires knowledge of a language other than French or English, the School may require proof of such knowledge.

Application Deadline

For information about the admission deadline, please consult Program-Specific Requirements under “Application forms” at following address: www.grad.uottawa.ca.

Fast-track from Master's to PhD program

Students enrolled in the MA program in Globalization and International Development may be allowed to fast-track to the PhD program in International Development without being required to write a master’s thesis, provided they meet the following conditions:

Completion of six master’s courses (18 credits) including at least three courses in Globalization and International Development with a minimum average of 8/10 overall and 8.5/10 in three Globalization and International Development courses.
Satisfactory progress in the research program.
Submission of a well developed research plan that must include, at a minimum, a thesis proposal and background literature review.
Written recommendation from the proposed PhD thesis supervisor.
Recommendation by the PhD studies committee.
Approval of the vice-dean (graduate studies) of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Students must request permission to fast-track during the fourth session of registration or earlier and, if approved, must register in the PhD in the fifth or, at the latest, in the sixth session. To receive the doctorate, students must successfully complete 30 credits of courses (MA + PhD), the comprehensive examinations, the thesis proposal and the thesis. The total number of course credits required may be reduced by six, as determined by the PhD Studies Committee.

The requirements of the PhD program in International Development include successful completion of 12 credits of coursework, 2 comprehensive examinations, a thesis proposal and a thesis.

Compulsory Courses (9 credits):
DVM8108 Research Seminar in International Development (3cr.)
DVM8109 Theories of International Development (3cr.)
DVM8110 Development Policy and Practice (3cr.)

Optional course (3 credits):
The optional course is selected from the program’s list of SIDGS graduate courses. Under exceptional circumstances, students may select a course from another graduate program with permission of both the DVM doctoral program director and the director of the other program.

DVM6101 GROWTH, PRIVATE SECTOR, SOCIAL INCLUSION (3cr.)
DVM6102 LIVELIHOODS, RESOURCES AND SUSTAINABILITY (3cr.)
DVM6103 CONFLICT, TRANSITIONS AND PEACE (3cr.)
DVM6104 SOCIAL MOVEMENTS, EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS (3cr.)

DVM9996/9997 Comprehensive Examinations
Subject to the successful completion of all the course requirements, registration in the first Comprehensive Examination (DVM9996) is permitted in the student’s third session in the program. Once the first examination has been successfully completed, registration in the second exam is permitted. Each of the two comprehensive examinations consists of a written exam followed by an oral presentation and defence. Both examinations must normally be completed by the end of the fourth session.
Further details about the examinations are posted on the program website. Students who fail an exam are allowed to repeat it the following session at the latest. A second failure in either exam leads to compulsory withdrawal from the program.

DVM9998 Thesis Proposal
The thesis proposal, prepared under the direction of the thesis supervisor, must be defended to the satisfaction of the Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC). The proposal must normally be successfully completed by the end of the fifth session. In the event of failure, the proposal can be resubmitted and defended the following session at the latest. A second failure leads to withdrawal from the program. The proposal must be successfully completed before submitting it to the Research Ethics Board (if required) and before undertaking any independent data collection.

DVM9999 PhD Thesis

Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC)
During the first session, a thesis advisory committee (consisting of the thesis supervisor and at least two other professors) is assigned in consultation with the student. At least two of the committee members must be professors within the School of International Development and Global Studies (SIDGS). The composition of the committee is confirmed at the end of the first year. This committee is responsible for approving the thesis proposal and for advising the student throughout the program.

Additional Requirements

The requirements outlined above are a minimum. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to add up to two other courses if considered essential in light of the student’s academic background.

Residence

All students must complete a minimum of six sessions of full-time registration, normally at the beginning of the program. In the case of students fast-tracked from the master’s, the residency period is nine full-time sessions from the date of initial registration in the master’s.

Minimum Standards

The passing grade in all courses is 65% (C+). Students who fail two courses (equivalent to 6 credits), one of the comprehensive exams, the thesis proposal, the thesis or whose progress is deemed unsatisfactory must withdraw from the program.

Duration of the program

The requirements of the program are usually fulfilled within four years. The maximum time permitted is six years from the date of initial registration in the program, or seven years in the case of the students fast-tracked from the master’s to the doctorate.

DVM8108 Research Seminar in International Development (3cr.)
Study of advanced techniques of qualitative and quantitative methods used in development research and analysis. Methods examined include the use of statistical analysis, comparative methodology, case study selection, discourse analysis, interview techniques and focus groups, and participative methods.

DVM8109 Theories of International Development (3cr.)
Focus on the major texts that constitute the canon of international development studies. Key theories and approaches will include imperialism/colonialism, modernization theory, structuralist economics, dependency theory, neoliberal /neoclassical economics, and post-modern and post-colonial theory.

DVM8110 Development Policy and Practice (3cr.)
Study of policy formulation and the role of strategic planning in the global South. Emphasis will be placed on how international institutions and policy documents impact upon the global South and how, in turn, changes in domestic and international environments shape these institutions and actors. Various political planning approaches are also examined. Exclusion: MDG5110.

DVM8150 Special Topics in International Development (3cr.)
In-depth examination of a question or topic linked to emerging trends or research areas in international development.

DVM8508 Séminaire de recherche en développement international (3cr.)
Étude des techniques avancées en méthodes quantitatives et qualitatives utilisées en matière de recherche et d’analyse en développement. Les méthodes examinées incluent l’utilisation des outils statistiques, la méthodologie comparative, la sélection d’études de cas, l’analyse de discours, les techniques d’enquêtes et d’interviews de publics cibles, et les méthodes participatives.

DVM8509 Théories du développement international (3cr.)
Étude des fondements théoriques et conceptuels des études en développement international. Les principales théories et approches examinées comprennent l’impérialisme/le colonialisme, la théorie de la modernisation, la théorie économique structuraliste, la théorie de la dépendance, les théories des économistes néo-libéraux/ néo-classiques et les théories post-moderniste et post-coloniale.

DVM8510 Politiques et pratiques du développement (3cr.)
Étude de la formulation des politiques et de la planification stratégique dans les pays en développement. L’accent sera mis d’une part, sur la façon dont les institutions internationales et les documents de politiques exercent un impact sur les pays du sud, et, d’autre part, sur l’influence des changements nationaux et internationaux sur ces institutions. Y sont également examinées les diverses approches en matière de planification politique. Exclusion : MDG5510.

DVM8550 Thèmes choisis en développement international (3cr.)
Etude approfondie d’une problématique ou d’un sujet lié aux tendances émergeantes en développement international.

DVM8950 Thèmes choisis en développement international / Special Topics in International Development (3cr.)
Etude approfondie d’une problématique ou d’un sujet lié aux tendances émergeantes en développement international. Préalable: connaissance active soit du français soit de l’anglais et connaissance au moins passive de l’autre langue. / In-depth examination of a question or topic linked to emerging trends or research areas in international development. Prerequisite: Active knowledge of either English or French and at least a passive knowledge of the other language.

DVM8955 Lectures dirigées / Directed Studies (3cr.)
Cours individuel ayant pour objectif d’approfondir les connaissances de l’étudiant dans un domaine particulier ou de lui permettre de se familiariser avec un nouveau domaine. Le sujet est déterminé et développé en consultation avec le professeur responsable et en conformité avec les directives du département. Le travail remis dans ce cours doit être différent de ce qui a pu être soumis dans d’autres cours, y compris le projet de thèse, le mémoire ou la thèse. Il y a une limite d’un cours de lectures dirigées par étudiant et la permission n’est accordée que dans des circonstances exceptionnelles. Préalable : Permission du responsable des études doctorales. / Individual course aimed at deepening a student’s knowledge of a particular area or at gaining knowledge of a new area. The topic is selected and developed in consultation with the supervising professor in accordance with departmental guidelines. The work submitted for this course must be different from that submitted for other courses, including the thesis proposal, the master’s research paper or the thesis. Maximum of one directed reading course per student and permission granted only under exceptional circumstances. Prerequisite: Permission of the PhD program director.

DVM9996 Examen de synthèse 1/ Comprehensive Exame 1
Préalable : réussite de toutes les exigences de cours/ Prerequisite: successfull completion of all course requirements.

DVM9997 Examen de synthèse 2 / Comprehensive Examination 2
Préalable / Prerequisite : DVM9996

DVM9998 Projet de thèse / Thesis Proposal
Préalables / Prerequisites : DVM9996 ; DVM9997

DVM9999 Thèse de doctorat / PhD Thesis
Préalable / Prerequisite: DVM9998

Cours accessibles aux étudiants du programme de M.A. en mondialisation et développement international ET au programme de Ph.D. en développement international. / Courses open to students in both the MA in Globalization and International Development and the PhD in International Development.

MDG5111 PROJECT FACILITATION AND EVALUATION (3cr.)
Fundamentals of project facilitation, acquisition and practice of evidence-based learning evaluation techniques. Particular attention will be paid to participatory decision-making processes, consensus building tools, facilitating policy analysis and conflict management. Topics will include the project evaluation context; evaluation designs and their uses; tools and data collection strategies; communicating and using evaluation results; institutionalizing evaluation within organizations; and evaluation ethics. Prerequisite: MDG5121

MDG6101 GROWTH, PRIVATE SECTOR, SOCIAL INCLUSION (3cr.)
Role of private sector and economic policy in economic and social development, particularly in terms of their impact on living standards, social inclusion, poverty and inequality, and the delivery of public services.

MDG6102 LIVELIHOODS, RESOURCES AND SUSTAINABILITY (3cr.)
Interaction between society and nature. Consideration of how power shapes the use of resources such as land, water, food, or energy, and on how livelihoods adapt to environmental change in various rural and urban contexts. Theoretical lenses include commons theory, social ecological resilience, political ecology, and political economy.

MDG6103 CONFLICT, TRANSITIONS AND PEACE (3cr.)
Relationships between insecurity, transitions, peace and development. Key debates on links between development and security or, conversely, between insecurity, conflict and development. Different critical perspectives on the security-development nexus. Issues surrounding human (in)security, as well as key debates on transitions and peace.

MDG6104 SOCIAL MOVEMENTS, EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS (3cr.)
Social movements, civil society, and informal networks, their roles, actions and impacts in the struggle against the vicious cycles of inequality and vulnerability in developing countries. Themes include class, gender, ethnicity, citizenship and migration.

MDG5511 FACILITATION ET ÉVALUATION DE PROJET (3cr.)
Fondements de l’animation de projets contribuant à l'acquisition des compétences nécessaires à l’application des techniques d’évaluation basées sur les faits probants. Une attention particulière est accordée aux processus décisionnels participatifs, aux outils de formation de consensus, à l’analyse des politiques, ainsi qu’à la gestion des conflits. Les sujets vont inclure les contextes d’évaluation des projets; les outils et stratégies de collecte des données; la communication et l’utilisation des résultats d’évaluation; l’institutionnalisation de l’évaluation au sein d’une organisation; ainsi que l’éthique de l’évaluation. Préalable : MDG5521

MDG6501 CROISSANCE, SECTEUR PRIVÉ ET INCLUSION SOCIALE (3cr.)
Rôle du secteur privé et de la gestion des politiques économiques dans le développement économique et social et leur impact en termes de qualité de vie, d’inclusion sociale, de pauvreté, d’inégalité et de livraison des services publics.

MDG6502 MODES DE VIE, RESSOURCES ET DURABILITÉ (3cr.)
Relation entre les sociétés et la nature. Une attention particulière est accordée à la manière dont les relations de pouvoir orientent et déterminent l'utilisation de ressoures comme la terre, l'eau, la nourriture et l'énergie ainsi qu'à la manière dont les moyens d'existence s'adaptent aux changements environnementaux dans des contextes ruraux et urbains variés. Les diverses approches conceptuelles incluent la théorie des biens publics, la résilience sociale et écologique, l'écologie politique et l'économie politique.

MDG6503 CONFLIT, TRANSITIONS ET PAIX (3cr.)
Les relations entre l’insécurité, les transitions, la paix et le développement. Les débats principaux portant sur les liens entre développement et sécurité ou, à l’inverse, entre insécurité, conflit et développement. Les différentes perspectives critiques quant à la connexion entre sécurité et développement. Enjeux associés avec l’(in)sécurité humaine, ainsi que les débats actuels en matière de transition et de paix.

MDG6504 MOUVEMENTS SOCIAUX, EQUITÉ ET DROITS HUMAINS (3cr.)
Rôles, actions et impact des mouvements sociaux, de la société civile, et des réseaux informels dans la lutte contre le cercle vicieux de l’inégalité et de la vulnérabilité dans les pays en développement. Les thèmes abordés comprennent les questions de classe, de genre, d’ethnicité, de citoyenneté et de migration.

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