Alumni testimonials
Rob Jones, MADEP Alumni 2017-18
"Since graduating from CENDEP in 2018, I have begun working as the Knowledge and Learning Officer for Practical Action. Specifically, I work in the Influence and Impact unit to develop our learning agenda, crystallise our knowledge base and ensure that we’re consistently using evidence to continuously improve and achieve wider, more systemic change. Before joining CENDEP, I had worked with several humanitarian and development organisations, but felt as though I was missing some of the technical and theoretical understanding needed to progress in my career. The MA DEP was recommended to me by several colleagues, and it was clear that the programme had an excellent record of fostering leaders in the sector. The pure depth and breadth of the syllabus on offer meant that I was able to dive into topics that I’d always wanted to explore, such as forced migration or disaster risk reduction. Thanks to the diverse passions and encouragement of the academic staff, I found new areas of interest that will influence my career for years to come, such as understanding the importance of valuing local knowledge. The programme attracts a diverse range of people from different countries and backgrounds that make the experience so much more human, as well as far more challenging and rewarding than I ever thought possible.”
Harry Tuke, MarchD DEP 2017/18
"I enjoyed the course as it gave an incredible insight and delved into the issues of development and humanitarianism. The tutors are very supportive and have a good relation with us."
Conrad Oroma Opoka DEP 2015/16
"Joining the MA as a practitioner, allowed me to take a step back, reflect and gain a deeper understanding of our actions and impact as humanitarian and development workers. Providing a unique academic setting coupled with the expertise of the lecturers and the different students on the course, you are able to get a global perspective on things, especially best practices from different contexts including disaster that I had never interfaced with and also emerging issues in the policy environment.I came on the course from a Programme Associate role with UNHCR, in less than a year after completion and return to Uganda, I was able to move on to the Assistant Programme Officer role in the National Professional category. The MA in Development and Emergency Practice has not only given me a completive edge amongst my peers/colleagues in the industry but also a lot to share in the course of our response."
Ben Teuten and Jonny Willis, DEP 2014/15
"We have in the year succeeding our Masters at Oxford Brookes University in Development and Emergency Practice, founded Refugee Youth Service (RYS), the leading agency for child protection in the refugee camps. Our team aim to develop the support systems needed in refugee camps to aid social development and protect the young people from the dangers that they face daily."
Hellen N. Atiol, CENDEP 2013/14
"Currently, I work as the civil society coordinator for ADRA South Sudan, where I support the organisation in incorporating civil society and advocacy programming within all its various projects by mapping potential civil society actors/groups, and developing guidelines to facilitate advocacy efforts. The CENDEP programme has contributed significantly to my understanding of what is essential in development. The courses have encouraged me to think critically about sustainable development. I particularly remember the concept of ‘Rights-based approach’ and participatory development, which focuses on encouraging the most vulnerable in implementing their own development initiatives."
Nadia Berger, CENDEP 2012/13
"I currently work as a Public Information Officer for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is my first real experience in a complex environment and what I learnt from the DEP course, especially on humanitarian principles, internal displacement and protection of civilians, is very useful for my field activities, as my role is to analyse the humanitarian situation and help raise the profile of humanitarian action in North Kivu."
Kamiya Keisuke DEP 2011/12
"The experience at CENDEP was really useful when working in the field. Last December, after the devastation by the Typhoon Yolanda, I was deployed to the Philippines by a Japanese NGO to engage in a recovery shelter programme. I developed a construction training programme incorporating humanitarian theories repeatedly learned at CENDEP, especially concerning people-centered approaches and working to ensure a smooth transition form emergency to recovery."
Rabecca Moriku DEP 2010/11
"My experience from living in a refugee camp for 16 of my 26 years in Northern Uganda is my biggest driver and motivation for pursing this Masters Degree in Development and Emergency Practice. My biggest dream is to work with vulnerable communities nationally and internationally..."
Almaz Fiseha DEP 2010
"I worked on development and emergency with international humanitarian organisations in my country, Ethiopia, for over 30 years. I stepped back from the 'chipping' away' at my work and came to study in order to understand the bigger picture. I chose Oxford Brookes because of the design of the DEP course was the answer to my quest. I really liked how the modules included theory and practical exercises and addressed development issues as well as disaster response in both rural and urban settings. It also provided applicable knowledge on human rights, conflict, shelter, gender, partnering etc."
Josie Calvert DEP 2009/10
"A week after I started at Save the Children UK a typhoon hit both Vietnam and the Philippines, there was an earthquake in Indonesia, and at the same time SCUK was preparing to scale up to respond to the chronic food crisis in East Africa. My first few weeks in the emergencies team were a real baptism of fire but I was able to draw on the knowledge and skills that I learnt at Oxford Brookes and apply them to my work. Starting the MA at Brookes was one of the best decisions I have ever made and my feet have hardly touched the ground since."
Eric Meldrum DEP 2009/10
"The course basically opened my eyes up to the world and I am still using the knowledge and skills I gained during that year in my work today. I simply would not have been able to get to where I have without doing the MA."
John Harvey DEP 2009
"A vet...what brings you here? The MA course helped me in balancing the challenges of working for an organisation that has a foot in development and a foot in the world of animal welfare. The cohort of students also provided me with ongoing friendship, support and great contacts."
Sari Kaipainen, DipArch/DEP 2006/07"
I completed the taught part of the Development and Emergency Practice course in 2006/07. I do not exaggerate when saying that this year and what followed was truly life changing."
Damaris Frick, Salvation Army Emergency Services
"The lecturers have broad experience in the field themselves and relate their teaching to that. It is also great that the course attracts people from various backgrounds, ethnically and regarding experience. The course challenges me to improve not only my own work but to influence my organisation as well."