Objective: Strengthen global collaboration among developmental scientists to influence policy and practice by expanding topical networks or special interest groups.

One of the aims of ICDSS is to bring together developmental scientists from across the globe on relevant topics to create meaningful change in policy and practice. In previous years ICDSS has explored topics such as sustainability, migration and early
childhood adversity. As we face increasing global challenges in the current geopolitical climate, it is essential for ICDSS to unite researchers worldwide to make an impact on pressing issues such as climate change, gender equality, health and environmental sustainability. Such topical networks have the potential to unite researchers worldwide and to capitalize on making change. They also could engage early career researchers who are instrumental in shaping the future of our field.

Moving forward, ICDSS aims to develop more of these topic-based networks, thereby building connections between member societies, connecting researchers and building a stronger global community. Potential additional SIGs could focus for example on development and migration or SGD individuals.

Advantages for ICDSS and SIGs

  • ICDSS can point to SIGs as a way it realizes its purpose of fostering advancements in developmental science topics by bringing together researchers across human development societies and contexts, focusing on key themes and including a focus on advocacy
  • SIGs can find an “institutional home” in ICDSS that allows them to have a bank account and more sustainable future embedded in a registered organization
  • SIGs can more easily interact with ICDSS’s member societies, and through ICDSS connect to researchers with expertise in these topics across member societies 
  • Efficient communication about SIG initiatives to all member societies
  • ICDSS could support policy impact through collaboration grants that focus on working with policymakers and producing research reports that can influence public policy. These grants could include mentoring opportunities for mid-career academics, and help to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical, actionable solutions to global challenges.
  • SIGs will be able to organize joint conference symposia, special issues, or related activities with ICDSS.

Developmental Scientists for Climate Action (DevSCA )

Developmental Scientists for Climate Action (DevSCA) supports researchers, educators, and practitioners concerned with the impacts of climate change on human development. It provides an avenue for communication and collaboration among developmental scientists to build empirical and theoretical understanding of the issues involved and to use this information to inform advocacy for action.

DevSCA has hundreds of members representing 42 countries and 6 continents. This global network organizes a bi-monthly Speaker Series, symposia at conferences, special issues of journals, academic papers and public-facing blogs, and amicus briefs for international court cases on climate change. We also work to encourage all professional societies on human development (including ICDSS members) to promote climate change research, education, program development and advocacy in their areas of interest.

Climate change was one of the three focal areas in ICDSS’s Consensus Conference in 2017. As a Special Interest Group of ICDSS, DevSCA seeks to help ICDSS achieve its purposes of advancing collaborative research (spanning the lifespan and the globe) and informing and shaping international public policy with evidence-based insights that promote human well-being worldwide.