In order to escape the bubble of developmentcentrism, Brendan argues that we must stop reading development blogs and read more widely. A good reading list should not look like the Guardian's Global Development 'Key first-year reads', but more like an entrancing Amazon Wish List....
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About: Brendan Rigby
Brendan is an education specialist with over six years of experience working as a teacher, researcher and programme officer. Although he pursued the dreams of Indiana Jones in Uzbekistan, he eventually completed an MA in Development Studies at the University of NSW. After teaching, he became a Senior Researcher and Project Manager in Learning & Teaching at Macquarie University. Most recently, Brendan was an Education Officer with UNICEF in Tamale, Ghana. This year, he is a doctoral candidate at the University of Melbourne's Graduate School of Education.
Recent Posts by Brendan Rigby
Professionalising aid work: the missing links
By Brendan Rigby | Posted in: Ethics in development, Humanitarian Relief & Post-Conflict, Research |
Two recent surveys shined the spotlight on the current state of professionalism in the aid and development world. Brendan discusses the findings and more broadly the current state of professional development for aid workers. The same issues plaguing development efforts also affect professional development. ...
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Beasts of the Global North and South
When did you do something that required you to be tough, resourceful, hungry and committed? Brendan Rigby describes how tapping into our inner Beast can make us better humanitarian workers. ...
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A picture is worth 1000 words: what does aid/development mean to you?
Brendan asked the participants of WhyDev's Peer Coaching Pilot to respond to the following question with an image: What does aid/development mean to you? This post showcases the submissions that have been received and opens this call to action to everyone....
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Bringing sexy back: the state of HR in development work 2013
People In Aid recently published their latest report on ‘The State of HR in International Humanitarian and Development Organisations’ for 2013. Tobias Denskus and Brendan Rigby break down the report and discuss what the most pressing needs are for HR in the aid/development sector is for 2013....
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“In-donor refugee costs”: breaking down Australia’s latest aid ‘cut’
Australia's Foreign Minister, Bob Carr, announced that $375 million in foreign aid will be re-allocated to cover the expenditure of refugees in Australia. This announcement has been met with outrage and derision. In this post, Brendan breaks down what it actually means and why such practices need to change....
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White Privilege: Aid Work Remix
In this post, Brendan tries his hands at being a DJ, and remixes a hiphop song about White Privilege in the aid industry....
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Last chance to be part of the Peer Coaching Pilot Program!
By Brendan Rigby | Posted in: Coaching |
Today, we will close registration and begin matching people one-to-one to get them started on their peer coaching partnership. Brendan gives a snap shot of who has registered so far and encourages everyone, regardless of age or experience, to register and be part of this innovative, experimental and career-changing program....
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Voluntourism: what you need to know before signing up
Have you ever thought of volunteering overseas while doing some travelling? Brendan Rigby shares his personal experience as a volunteer and offers five sources that you must read before signing up to volunteer overseas. ...
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Do you have the competency to work in aid and development?
Whether you have just graduated or are an experienced aid worker, there is always room to learn and develop new competencies. But, which competencies are the most valued? Which competencies should you focus on for your career and professional development? Brendan Rigby crowdsources the opinion of some very bright and...
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Global Festival: just another aid concert or a new form of activism?
On September 29, 2012, 54,000 concert goers will see The Foo Fighters, Black Keys, K'Naan, Neil Young with Crazy Horse and Band of Horses in Central Park. For free. With strings attached. The ticket price for the concert isn't money, it's doing good deeds. How effective will this be in...
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Gold medals for human development
What determines winning gold medals at the Olympics? In a response to the research findings of Bill Easterly, Brendan Rigby looks at the relationship between human development and winning gold medals. The results suggest need for further research and spending less time on the Internet....
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Recent Comments by Brendan Rigby
- May 15, 2013 on To better understand development, stop reading development blogs
- May 14, 2013 on To better understand development, stop reading development blogs
- April 29, 2013 on So, you’re thinking of studying an MA in Development Studies? Think again.
- April 18, 2013 on Beasts of the Global North and South
- March 27, 2013 on Where are the children? Orphanage voluntourism in Ghana
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