Globaali kehitystutkimus - Global Development Studies

28/05/2026

EADI/IOB 2026: Shaping Sustainable Futures: Global Challenges, (G)local Solutions?

29 June – 2 July 2026, Institute of Development Policy, University of Antwerp, Belgium

The upcoming conference delves into the dynamics of sustainability, in all its dimensions, in the face of pressing global challenges. The title itself reflects the profound dilemma faced by societies and communities worldwide in addressing issues at varying levels - from those demanding global collaboration to those necessitating local, context-specific action.

https://www.eadi.org/eadi-events/general-conference/eadi/iob-2026-shaping-sustainable-futures-global-challenges-glocal-solutions

Registration ends on the 22th June 2026! Register here: https://www.conftool.org/eadi-iob-2026

25/05/2026

Global Development Studies PhD researcher Marketta Vuola will defend her doctoral dissertation "Frontiers of artisanal gold mining and biodiversity conservation in Madagascar" this week Wednesday. Professor Catherine Corson from Mount Holyoke College will serve as the opponent, and Professor Anja Nygren as the custos.

This is a public event, open to all interested in the topic.

Marketta Vuola, FM will defend the doctoral dissertation entitled "Frontiers of artisanal gold mining and biodiversity conservation in Madagascar" in the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, on 27 May 2026 at 10:00. The public examination will take place at the following address: Port

20/05/2026

Sergio Fernández Bravo from Global Development Studies will defend the doctoral dissertation entitled "Poisonous Knowledge - Pesticide Dominance within Mexico's Long Green Revolution" in the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, on 22 May 2026 at 14:00. The public examination will take place at the following address: Päärakennus, Tekla Hultin (F3003), Fabianinkatu 33.

Professor Antonio Castellanos, National Autonomous University of Mexico, will serve as the opponent, and Anja Nygren as the custos.

The dissertation is also available in electronic form in Helda.

Sergio Fernández Bravo will defend the doctoral dissertation entitled "Poisonous Knowledge - Pesticide Dominance within Mexicos Long Green Revolution" in the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, on 22 May 2026 at 14:00. The public examination will take place at the following address:

22/04/2026

Obituary of Dr. Lauri Siitonen 1954–2026, esteemed Development Studies scholar and teacher | HS.fi https://share.google/6DxzO2Dpx5nVjlXPu

Lauri Siitonen 1954–2026

12/05/2025

Global Development Studies Research Day today in sunny Harakka Island.

23/04/2025

This is sign up form for The End of USAID? Rethinking the Future of International Development Aid & Climate Change -panel event on Friday 25.4. at 16-18. 📍: Room U4072, The main building of the University of Helsinki (Unioninkatu 34). Note: it is OK to attend without registration too. The event i...

11/11/2024

”When I’m on Stage, I Rule.” - Cholita music and fashion in a changing Bolivia

You are warmly welcome to learn more about Bolivian cholita music and fashion on Wednesday, November 13th from 14:00 to 16:00 p.m, at room 344, Unioninkatu 35, second floor!

We have the pleasure of the company of Bolivian cholita artist, fashion entrepreneur and student of Political science Verónica Torrico on this event. Verónica founded the song and dance group Las Florecitas de Mizque together with her sisters Roxana and Noelia in 2009. The group formed part of a cultural phenomenon that involved hundreds of song and dance groups created by young Quechua-speaking women known as cholitas. When the dance venues were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Torrico sisters created a cholita fashion line based on their performance outfits. Today, their artisanal clothes workshop has grown into several fashion stores.

During this event, Verónica Torrico will talk and show videos about the Torrico sisters' experience in cholita music and fashion, with a short presentation by Siboné Oroza with a focus on women from Indigenous backgrounds making space for themselves in Bolivian music industry. There will also be time for questions and answers. The languages of the event will be Quechua, Spanish, and English.

This session is organised in collaboration with the World Wide Women Female Musicians Crossing Borders and Building Futures (2021–2024), funded by Kone Foundation. Siboné Oroza’s doctoral thesis on cholita music is available at Helda, the open-access digital repository of the University of Helsinki https://helda.helsinki.fi/items/e22ffccd-1fe1-475c-a1c2-ad725a7921c2."

”Cuando estoy en la tarima, mando yo.” - Música y moda cholita en un país en cambio

Te invitamos a conocer más sobre la música y la moda de la cholita boliviana el miércoles 13 de noviembre de 14:00 a 16:00 en la sala 344, Unioninkatu 35, segundo piso.

Tendremos el placer de contar con la compañía de la artista cholita boliviana, empresaria de la moda y estudiante de Ciencias Políticas Verónica Torrico en este evento. Verónica fundó el grupo de canto y baile Las Florecitas de Mizque junto a sus hermanas Roxana y Noelia en 2009. El grupo formaba parte de un fenómeno cultural en el que participaban cientos de grupos de canto y danza creados por jóvenes quechuahablantes conocidas como cholitas. Cuando se cerraron los locales de baile durante la pandemia del COVID-19, las hermanas Torrico crearon una línea de moda cholita basada en sus trajes de actuación. Hoy, su taller de ropa artesanal se ha convertido en varias tiendas de moda.

Durante este acto, Verónica Torrico hablará y mostrará vídeos sobre la experiencia de las hermanas Torrico en la música y la moda cholitas, con una breve presentación de Siboné Oroza centrada en las mujeres de origen indígena que se hacen un espacio en la industria musical boliviana. También habrá tiempo para preguntas y respuestas. Los idiomas del acto serán el quechua, el español y el inglés.

Esta sesión está organizada en colaboración con el proyecto mundial Mujeres Músicas Cruzando Fronteras y Construyendo Futuros (2021-2024), financiado por la Fundación Kone. La tesis doctoral de Siboné Oroza sobre la música cholita está disponible en Helda, el repositorio digital de libre acceso de la Universidad de Helsinki https://helda.helsinki.fi/items/e22ffccd-1fe1-475c-a1c2-ad725a7921c2.»

17/09/2024

GDS researchers Eija Ranta and Martta Kaskinen discuss Finland's development policy changes in the EADI Debating Development blog series. EADI is the leading European network in the field of Development Studies with more than 100 institutional members in more than 25 countries.

By Eija Ranta and Martta Kaskinen / Part of the European Development Policy Outlook Series The boost in popularity of the populist right-wing Finns party has meant a bumpy ride for Finland’s develo…

12/08/2024

New article by GDS lecturer Eija Ranta has been published at the International Feminist Journal of Politics. The article discusses gender equality, women's political inclusion, and intersectionality in the context of Kenya and African political systems. Suggested reading also for those working with electoral support and democracy support in development cooperation.

Sub-Saharan Africa has become known for its growing number of women political decision makers, and its progressive policies and laws such as gender quotas. Yet we still do not know enough about how...