Dear FSDR Members,
As we close the chapter on 2025, the Board sincerely thanks you for your continued membership and steadfast support. We also want to congratulate each of you for simply getting through another challenging year for the development research community, surviving and overcoming every hurdle, as we fulfill our professional responsibilities and continue serving our larger society and constituencies with impact.
Looking back—as highlighted in our past newsletters and social media—it has been a fruitful and engaging year. We have hosted a series of successful events and celebrated numerous individual academic accomplishments, all while warmly welcoming several new members into our fold.
Looking ahead, we are excited for 2026, which marks our 40th anniversary. Preparations are underway for our milestone Development Days conference. Thanks to your suggestions and active participation, we can already sense this will be a landmark gathering; we have received a record number of proposals for working groups and papers, alongside substantial funding commitments and expressions of interest to collaborate.
Finally, as I serve my third term as Chair, I want to personally encourage you to take an active role in our future by standing for and serving on the Board for the next term. Please join us at the Annual General Meeting on 27 February 2026, where we will elect a new Board. Your leadership skills and sense of volunteerism will greatly sustain our community. It would be wonderful to work with you and see fresh perspectives lead our Society into its next decade.
Season’s greetings, and a very Happy New Year to you all!
With deep thanks and best wishes on behalf of the Board,
Bonn Juego
Chair, FSDR Board 2025-2026
