Development Innovation and Sustainability (DIS)
Introduction / Background
The Development Innovation and Sustainability (DIS) academic program is a consolidated and forward-looking initiative of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), developed in response to increasingly complex development challenges in Asia and beyond. It integrates the strengths of two established programs—Development Planning, Management and Innovation (DPMI) and Development and Sustainability (DS)—into a coherent, interdisciplinary, and practice-oriented program aligned with the SDGs and the people–planet–prosperity nexus. Contemporary development challenges—including environmental degradation, climate variability, social inequality, food insecurity, and rapid socio-economic transformation—require professionals who can work across policy, innovation, governance, and sustainability domains. Rooted in AIT’s long-standing tradition of development planning, DIS provides strong foundations in policy, planning, project management, and participatory practice, complemented by an interdisciplinary sustainability perspective integrating social, economic, and environmental dimensions.
Core teaching and research areas include public policy and sustainable development, development planning and implementation, innovation systems for sustainability, climate change adaptation and resilience, environmental governance, socio-ecological systems and rural development, and inclusive and equitable development. The program draws on systems thinking, political economy, institutional theory, resilience and transition frameworks, and innovation and development studies, while emphasizing methodological rigor, ethical research practice, reflexivity, and critical thinking.
DIS equips researchers, managers, practitioners, and policymakers with the theoretical and practical knowledge and competences needed to design, implement, and evaluate inclusive and sustainable development interventions across diverse contexts.
Areas of Specialization
- Development Planning, Management, and Innovation (DPMI)
- Environment, Society and Governance (ESG)
Focus Areas
- Development Planning & Management
- Development Policy, and Governance
- Poverty Reduction & Sustainable Livelihoods
- Development Economics & Sustainability
- Development, Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice
- Institutions, NGOs & Development Management
- Urban–Rural Linkages & Rural Revitalization
- Socio-Ecological Systems & Resilience
- Social Innovation & Sustainable Development
- Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development
- Climate, Environmental & Social Justice
Preferred Background
DIS welcomes applicants from diverse academic disciplines and professional backgrounds, especially those with interests in development planning, public policy and governance, sustainability and climate resilience, social innovation, socio-ecological systems, rural and agricultural development, and climate, environmental, and social justice. Candidates seeking interdisciplinary knowledge and skills for careers in academia, government, NGOs/CSOs, international organizations, or the public and private sectors are encouraged to apply.
Course Structure
- Development Policy and Practice
- Development Planning Workshop
- Social Innovation, Community Business and Sustainability
- Community Development Planning and Management
- Science, Society and Environmental Governance
- Social Impact Assessment
- Development Project Planning and Management
- Economics of Development and Policy
- Agriculture Development and Social Innovation
- Gender, Climate Change and Migration
- Public Policy
- NGO Management, Policy and Development Administration
- Socio-ecological Systems and Governance
- Qualitative Research Methods for Development
- Quantitative Research Methods for Development
Concerned Faculty Members
Concerned Staff Members
Contact Information
Ms. Agnes Pardilla
Email: [email protected]
