1st National PhD Conference in Development Studies

On 15 October 2019, the Institute for Social Development (ISD) organized for its first time a National PhD Conference in Development Studies at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).

As I am a proud UWC postgrad student, I was honoured to attend the 1^st National PhD Conference in Development Studies organized by my department, the Institute for Social Development (ISD), University of the Western Cape. The Theme of the conference was ‘Social and Demographic Transformation at a time of rising inequality’ which has been discussed on the current issues in Sub-Saharan Africa such as migration, food security, social protection, and poverty and inequality.

The institute further plans to facilitate and sponsor the national PhD conferences in Development Studies every year, it also expects to grow it into international conference.

This year, the conference has offered students to gain insights about the current research issues being carried out by PhD scholars and other emerging researchers around the African Continent. Moreover, the conference has also provided an opportunity for PhD students around Southern African countries to present their work and interact with other students and senior researchers as well as the opportunity to get publish their work.

Many international presenters and delegates participated in this conference and represented their countries. A total of 80 participants including presenters, delegates, observers and top academics from 10 different African universities were attended the conference.

The major themes that were discussed in the conference relate to social and demographic changes in Sub-Saharan Africa such as:

1.        Human mobility (Migration) in Sub-Saharan Africa.

2.        Food and Nutrition Security.

3.        Social Protection and Livelihoods.

4.        Poverty and Inequality.

However, the conference has been split into four different thematic sessions regarding to the above topics. For me, Human Mobility (Migration) in Sub-Saharan Africa was my thrilling thematic as I also chose to investigate a topic that relates to migration for my Master’s thesis.

The topics we emphasized on this session include, Migrant children in accessing education, Life across borders, The experiences of young female migrants in Johannesburg, and Navigating precarity and networking trust among refugees.

After presentations and discussions, the panel chairs wrap-up the session. And finally closed followed with refreshments and networking.

As a young educated African, I aspire to participate in many more conferences happening in our great continent, Africa.