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SweDev’s first PhD Conference: "A Space for Critical and Dynamic Discussion" 

participants listening at the SweDev PhD conference in Gothenburg 2022.
Participants listening at the SweDev PhD conference in Gothenburg. Photo: Amalie Weinrich

The inaugural PhD Conference of the Swedish Development Research Network (SweDev) was organized by the School of Global Studies (SGS), University of Gothenburg, on 1-2 December 2022. The conference provided doctoral students with an open and inclusive space to meet and discuss their work with their peers.

- As a participant of the SweDev PhD conference in 2022 I was enlightened with new perspectives on development research. The conference had a wide scope and was inclusive and diverse. The participants fostered a good environment for dialogue and discussions, and I left Gothenburg with new perspective and ideas, says Max Rosvall, PhD student at the Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Uppsala University.

In the aftermath of a global pandemic that severely limited academic mobility and exchange, the SweDev conference also provided opportunities to create connections and build networks as early career scholars. 

- The conference was a great opportunity to meet several PhDs from throughout Sweden. I hope we will find a way to collaborate and work together in the future. I think networks like this are invaluable, says Fisseha Tefera, PhD student at SGS, University of Gothenburg. 

Nearly 30 doctoral students from 11 universities participated in the conference, which was organised into 7 paper sessions on themes ranging from environmental challenges and global health to post-colonial critiques and economic development. 

The keynote speech delivered by Anja Karlsson Franck focused on the subaltern’s agency through the role of humour and laughter in situations of despair and hopelessness. The conference also included a capacity-building session on publication strategies as well as discussions on the recently launched Development Research School, which also co-funded the conference. 

- I really enjoyed the conference! I participated in order to be in an interdisciplinary space together with other doctoral students researching something related to development studies. The atmosphere was friendly but still provided plenty of space for critical and dynamic discussions on our respective research, says Linn Ternsjö, PhD student at the Department of Economic History, Lund University.

After two constructive and intense days of exchange, the conference ended with PhD students expressing an urge for future exchanges, seminars and conferences that provide spaces to present and enrich their research and for further network-building.