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This dissertation reevaluates the collapse of the USSR and the reform project of “perestroika” that preceded it from the perspective of Tajikistan. As one of the most peripheral republics in the Soviet Union, Tajikistan found its economy and society shaken to the core by the economic and political reforms passed between 1985 and 1991. Tracking the development of Soviet reform legislation in Moscow and its implementation in Tajikistan, this dissertation shows how perestroika was intimately linked to the breakdown of economic order and social ties that occurred during the final years of the USSR. Rejecting narratives focused on rising nationalism and long-suppressed regional frustrations, this dissertation outlines how Moscow-designed marketizing reforms were the main driver of strife in the Tajik SSR. As the economy disintegrated, so did the fabric of society: by February 1990 Tajikistan’s capital was subsumed by riot, and by May 1992 the entire country was aflame with civil war. By reorienting the history of the Soviet collapse to a peripheral republic that was engulfed by economic disorder and sectarian war, moreover, this dissertation problematizes the established historical discourse about the end of the USSR. Rather than the wave of democratization and free speech seen from the perspective of Moscow and Eastern Europe, for many millions of Soviet citizens the collapse of the USSR was a deeply frightening and violent event. Crime rates rose across the former USSR; local conflicts sprung up; wars flared in more than one republic. Much more than an outlier, Tajikistan was simply one extreme along this spectrum, and its experience of economic collapse leading to civil war complicates simple arguments about how glasnost led to the peaceful end of the USSR. This dissertation demonstrates that economics remained at the heart of the Soviet collapse and the violence that followed.

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We are committed to interdisciplinary research, the department of international development is committed to the pursuit of excellence in interdisciplinary research to further understand the processes of social, political and economic change within the developing world and in the international political economy..

Most of our faculty and research associates have experience in the world of development practice or policy-making

We aim to promote research that addresses the problems and policy options facing actors in both the South and the North who are concerned with poverty reduction and the ultimate improvement of social, economic and political life in poor countries and regions across the world. Our faculty and research associates include scholars committed to research at the local level, as well as those working on issues of national development and international relations and policy.                

International Development encourages both individual scholarly research and collaborative research within the Department, across the London School of Economics, and with partners throughout the developed and developing world.        

The department holds weekly research seminars for staff and PhD students. These currently take place in the Autumn and Winter term on Wednesdays from 12.30 - 2pm. The most recent schedule for this term's seminars can be found by following the link below:

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Department of International Development, London School of Economics, , , London, WC2A 2AE

LSE International Development Review

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The LSE International Development Review by the LSESU International Development Society is an entirely student-run journal. The journal aims to perpetuate a sustainable development discourse by incorporating the fields of development studies, migration studies, the political economy, human development, environment and global health. Arguments made in the journal take a step forward in unmasking the complexities of development management by introducing cutting-edge policy debates. From propositions to overcoming global inequality to the dissection of sustainable automation, this journal is intended to refine the grounds for policy work based on a theoretical understanding.

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Call for applications: student section editors for the lse international development review.

The LSE International Development Review is looking for passionate and dedicated student Section Editors to join our editorial team for the 2025 issue. This is a unique opportunity for students to develop editorial skills, contribute to academic discourse, and engage with key topics in international development.

Call for Submissions for 2025 Special Issue on Cities

The LSE International Development Review invites global students, particularly indigenous voices, to submit works for its special issue on Cities. This issue will explore the role of urban areas in fostering economic growth, social transformation, and environmental sustainability. Topics include affordable housing, accessibility for persons with disabilities, net-zero urban transitions, climate resilience, and smart city technologies. We seek innovative solutions to urban challenges and comparative analyses across regions. For submission guidelines and deadlines, visit our Submissions Page.

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Special issue: development and conflict.

The special issue on Development and Conflict will facilitate a nuanced understanding of the intricate interplay between development and conflict. Through rigorous analysis and comprehensive coverage, the issue aims to convey the intricate ways in which these two elements are interconnected. Some of the broad themes that are covered are: global impact of conflict, stories from Gaza, the United Kingdom's engagement in conflict resolution and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Other topics that fall into the broad theme of development and conflict are also welcome

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Basic Guide to Dissertation Writing

For most courses at LSE, a dissertation is an essential component of the degree programme both in undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Dissertation writing gives students the opportunity to research their areas of interest and come up with innovative contributions and fresh perspectives to issues. However, specific requirements might differ from one department to another. In my department (International Development), a dissertation should be no more than 10,000 words, excluding the references on a topic relevant to development in general.

But the basic questions border on how to choose research topic/question, methodology, sources and assistance. This article will attempt to address these issues from a fellow student’s perspective.

Choosing a research topic

It is important to choose a topic that aligns with one’s interest as this often supplies the motivation and energy needed to pursue the research. Here, it is not uncommon to see several students researching issues about their home countries or a place of special interest. For instance, the research can be about the impact of climate change on nomadic herdsmen in Northern Nigeria or how economic liberalisation increased the crime rate in Brazil. It is advisable to narrow one’s research down to a particular question.

Research Methodology

To show the importance of methods in research, there is often a compulsory course on research methodology in several departments. Methodology simply refers to the way in which the research will be carried out. Is it quantitative or qualitative research? How are your sources going to be gathered, through interviews, existing data sets or a primary/field research?

Students are often advised to not just state their methodology but also justify why they chose that particular method. This is important because different methods can lead to different conclusions. It might be necessary to acknowledge the existence of other methods and then justify why one was chosen over the others.

When your university library has over four floors, it is evident it contains innumerable materials for research! Yes, LSE Library is well equipped to meets the research needs for students and professors. Apart of books in hardcopies, LSE Library also subscribes to several online journals for learning and research purposes. Also, departments are often assigned a special librarian who helps students find materials relevant to their department.

Have you spoken to the librarian in charge of your department? She might have one or two ideas about how you can get sources for your dissertation.

How to get help: Dissertation Advisory

Every student is assigned to an Academic Adviser who they are to meet with regularly and report the progress of their work. However, students are also free to consult other academics by booking Office Hours with them. There are also drop-in sessions at LSE LIFE and the Language Centre for dissertation issues. Recently, I attended at workshop at LSE LIFE where students were paired and asked to talk about their proposed topic with their partners. We did this while walking around the serene environment of Lincolns Inn Fields, a breather from the often-intimidating classroom environment.

There is always help around for anyone who requires it, so don’t hide your difficulties. It is also advisable to read through the dissertation guidelines for your department and find out what makes a good dissertation. Reading past dissertations can equally be helpful but be careful of plagiarism. Research is the lifeblood of any academic community, so feel proud that you are contributing to the furtherance of human knowledge.

Written by LSE Social media Ambassador Victor Agboga.

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Andrea Jimenez Ortiz

Olivia too-li ingrid semaan, october 28th, 2024, fostering sustainable african vaccine manufacturing capacity.

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Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Recent graduates of the MSc Health and International Development programme share their insights from their consultancy project with Save the Children UK for which their report focused on designing and optimising the operational strategy for Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance’s African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA). 

The Problem: ‘Vaccine Nationalism’

Low- and middle-income countries face significant challenges in accessing vaccines, relying heavily on external supply chains. African nations, for instance, consume nearly 25% of the world’s vaccines but produce less than 1% locally. Increasing the supply of vaccine imports alone is not a sustainable solution to meet this demand and ensure equitable access. This reliance on imported vaccines means African countries risk receiving essential supplies last, leaving them vulnerable to supply fluctuations. Vaccine nationalism’ observed during the COVID-19 pandemic served as a wake-up call, highlighting the stark inequities in global access to medicines. In response, COVAX, an initiative aiming for equitable access, planned to deliver vaccines to immunise 20% of populations in 46 African nations, yet only managed to supply coverage to a mere 1.4%. High-income countries stockpiled doses and imposed export restrictions, limiting access in lower-income nations.

The Journey: Research and Methodology

In December 2023, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, approved the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA). This 1 billion USD financing instrument aims to foster a strong ecosystem to boost African vaccine manufacturing and deliver more than 0.8 billion vaccine doses in the next decade to reduce dependency on imports.

Save the Children UK’s health policy team systematically engages with GAVI policy and governance processes in addition to numerous coalitions and global health organisations. To complement their work on vaccine market shaping, Save the Children UK requested our help in producing a report with best practices recommendations to influence the operation of the AVMA instrument. We began with comprehensive desk-based research, including a detailed literature review of the major barriers vaccine manufacturers face across the entire value chain from research and development to production and deployment. We also assessed AVMA’s potential as an effective financing instrument to incentivise new market entrants, drawing comparisons with previously deployed incentive mechanisms. To gain further insights, we conducted in-depth interviews with leading global health experts, including academics and industry professionals.

Our final report concluded that the vaccine value chain is inherently complex, with challenges across every step, such as limited access to finance, infrastructural and technological inadequacies, regulatory complexities, a lack of trained workforces and incomplete supply chains. AVMA aims to address one of the main barriers-access to finance faced by manufacturers- by creating viable markets.

We made recommendations to Gavi and relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful operation of the instrument moving forwards. First, we suggested the operation of AVMA addresses balancing the need to ensure vaccine quality and public confidence with also providing more affordable regulatory processes for manufacturers. We also recommended greater coordination and support between manufacturers, donors and partners. To achieve effective collaboration more data sharing is necessary, such as creating a shared visibility map of the investment and capacity needs across the continent, as each region has varying levels of manufacturing. We included multiple case studies for different countries, manufacturers and vaccine types. Finally, we made technical recommendations on how to foster strategic alliances, technology transfers and how to promote a setting for pooled procurement.

AVMA is by no means a silver bullet solution but the mood among the stakeholders we interviewed was one of optimism and we concluded that if executed correctly, AVMA could be a catalyst for change in the African continent’s move towards vaccine self-sufficiency.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Roundtable

Most of the MSc consultancy projects conclude after two academic terms, but we have been fortunate to continue our work with Save the Children UK. We are exploring avenues to publish and disseminate our MSc report titled: Fostering Sustainable African Vaccine Manufacturing Capacity . Additionally, we are co-organising a roundtable discussion and webinar with various stakeholders, including those involved in the development of the AVMA, civil society organisations, and the African manufacturers who will be utilising the instrument.

Challenges and Key Learnings: Advice to Future Cohorts

1. Be prepared for ongoing changes in your project! When dealing with real-world global health challenges, flexibility is essential. At the outset of our project, we were tasked with evaluating potential financial incentive mechanisms but three months into our work, AVMA was approved by the Gavi Board to go ahead into operation. As a result, we adjusted the scope of our work after meeting with our client at Save the Children UK, and together, we decided to shift our focus from the design process of AVMA to providing recommendations on its governance and operation. Be open to adjusting your approach and research focus as necessary. It’s important to take the initiative to check in with your client regularly to ensure alignment.

2. Teamwork is key! Success in a consultancy project requires strong teamwork and consistent communication. You will be working in diverse teams with different schedules and commitments, so it is important to actively listen and leverage each other’s unique skill sets. Be empathetic and understand that at times, some team members may be able to contribute more than others — it’s important to be flexible and support one another when this happens. Dividing roles and keeping track of workloads ensures that everyone stays aligned. Additionally, maintaining records of tasks and milestones is a valuable project management skill to develop.

3. Learn from experts! We were fortunate to have a proactive and supportive client who allowed us to bring our own approach, while being available for regular follow-ups and hands-on guidance when needed. Your client will likely be an expert in the field, so take advantage of their knowledge and advice. Conducting interviews with key stakeholders was also instrumental in shaping our recommendations, as it allowed us to gain further insights into challenges that might not have surfaced in the literature review alone. Not every project may call for this option, but where possible, it’s invaluable to engage directly with stakeholders.

Finally, make sure to enjoy the project! It is a unique opportunity to apply your MSc studies in a professional setting, and we have found it incredibly rewarding. We are deeply grateful to our client at Save the Children UK and to the LSE for this opportunity.

The team has now graduated but are continuing this work and are in the process of co-organising a roundtable discussion and webinar with Save the Children to present their findings to key stakeholders.

The views expressed in this post are those of the author and in no way reflect those of the International Development LSE blog or the London School of Economics and Political Science.  

Featured image: The Save the Children UK – LSE consultancy team.

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About the author

Andrea Jimenez Ortiz has an MSc in Health and International Development from the LSE and is a Medical Doctor from Mexico with experience in the fields of socio-medical research, health policy analysis and development, and health management. She has previously worked for the Mexican Ministry of Health and academic institutions. She is currently pursuing her medical specialty in gynaecology and obstetrics.

Mia Gray has an MSc in Health and International Development from the LSE and a BA in Human Sciences from Oxford University. She is trained in NGO management, with experience in the fields of health and human rights. Currently, Mia is working as the Deputy Campaign Director at the Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice and is publishing a report on sexual and gender-based violence in post-conflict periods.

Olivia Too-Li Ingrid Semaan holds an MSc in Health and International Development from the LSE and a BSc (Hons) in Global Health and Social Medicine with a pathway in Neuroscience from King’s College London. She has experience in resource mobilisation, grants management, and consulting across the humanitarian, public, and private sectors. Currently, she is pursuing professional work in social impact and health consulting.

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