# Geoformations

> Geographies of dynamic governance assemblages in development cooperation civil society spaces


## Posts

- [Engaging the Complexity of Development Governance through Transdisciplinary Research Design  ](https://geoformations.eu/engaging-the-complexity-of-development-governance-through-transdisciplinary-research-design/): This blog has been developed from our latest book chapter publication, entitled Change and transformation in international development cooperation: assemblage thinking, transdisciplinary research design and the curious case of localisation, written by Susan Murphy (Geoformations PI) and Ruby Paterson (Geoformations PhD Candidate) and published in How to Organise Transdisciplinary Research for Transformative Action and Knowledge Co-Production, edited by Paul Coughlan, Sheila Cannon, and Davin Coghlan.   Introduction  In Autumn 2024, our research team was invited to contribute a chapter to the above book, which brought together scholars from across Trinity College Dublin, as well as a wider network of experts and professionals […]
- [Reflections on Studying Development Governance: Lessons from an Assemblage Approach](https://geoformations.eu/reflecting-on-studying-development-governance-lessons-from-an-assemblage-approach/): One of Geoformations’ core objectives is to communicate our research among diverse audiences within and beyond academia to encourage dialogue, invite feedback, and advance our contributions. This approach helps us to broaden the scope of our engagement and enhance the rigour and applicability of our research and the methodological approaches we apply. In October 2025, two members of our team – PI, Dr Susan Murphy and Researcher, Maeve McGandy – travelled to Newcastle upon Tyne to participate in the BISA-ISA Joint Workshop on Decolonising Knowledge and Global (In)Justice: Exploring Research and Pedagogy in International Development Studies. Across two immersive days of […]
- [Development in the Interregnum: Reflecting on the DSAI Annual Conference, January 15th & 16th 2026](https://geoformations.eu/development-in-the-interregnum-reflecting-on-the-dsai-annual-conference-january-15th-16th-2026/): This opinion piece reflecting on the 2026 Development Studies Association Ireland (DSAI) Annual Conference was prepared by the Geoformations team: Maeve McGandy, Researcher; Cynthia Mwende, Research Assistant; Ruby Paterson, PhD Scholar; and Susan Murphy, Principal Investigator. At a moment when the field of development appears to be in flux, the Development Studies Association of Ireland’s (DSAI) recent conference offered more than just a snapshot of current debates in development studies. Across the conference, discussions resonated with our own ongoing work, reinforcing a shared understanding within the Geoformations team: that development is no longer organised around stable or enduring institutions, ideas of […]
- [Doing things right, or doing the right things? Researching organisational learning & strategy in INGOs](https://geoformations.eu/doing-things-right-or-doing-the-right-things-researching-organisational-learning-strategy-in-ingos/): This blog draws on postgraduate research, which explored how international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) learn and make strategic decisions in a period of growing uncertainty. Introduction: International development is navigating a period of profound change. Overlapping global crises are placing increasing pressure on development actors, while international aid budgets continue to contract. Within this shifting landscape, international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) have become both central and contested actors, operating across geographies and scales to respond rapidly to crises, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings. At the same time, INGOs face growing expectations to demonstrate effectiveness, accountability, and adaptability. In response, many have become […]
- [Encountering Context: Reflections from a Pilot Visit to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania ](https://geoformations.eu/encountering-context-reflections-from-a-pilot-visit-to-dar-es-salaam-tanzania/): Introducing the pilot visit, situating the study:  In September of 2025 I embarked on a pilot field visit as part of my doctoral research journey. Travelling from Dublin to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (which is the site of my research), my goal was to engage with civil society organisations working in the development space.   Broadly speaking, my PhD research explores the emergence, functioning, and governance of rights based civil society organisations within development cooperation.  In this blog, I reflect on 3 weeks spent in Dar es Salaam, paying particular attention to the methodological insights that emerged and to the ways in which these experiences have reoriented the direction of my research. Taking this pilot trip was an important step within the context of my PhD research, and thus, my time in the field was guided by several objectives:  Reflections from the field:   I left Ireland feeling both excited and apprehensive. I’d spent the summer before preparing for this […]
- [The Paradox of Participatory Empowerment: Analysing Horizontal Power Dynamics in Rural Uttar Pradesh](https://geoformations.eu/the-paradox-of-participatory-empowerment-analysing-horizontal-power-dynamics-in-rural-uttar-pradesh/): This blog features a guest post by Fionn Casey Ó Siochrú drawing on postgraduate field research carried out in rural Uttar Pradesh in 2025. Participation & Empowerment: Participatory development is widely promoted as an approach that actively engages local people, and project and programme ‘beneficiaries’, at every stage of design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Emphasising collaboration and rooted in a desire to shift power from external ‘experts’ to community members and local populations, it highlights the importance of local knowledge, encourages for collective decision-making, and aspires to build capacities for self determination. However, the near universal appeal of participation can obscure […]
- [Shifting Aid, Shifting Ground: How NGOs are Adapting in Costa Rica’s Pacific Region ](https://geoformations.eu/shifting-aid-shifting-ground/): This blog forms Part 2 of a two-part series reflecting on field research undertaken in Costa Rica’s Pacific Region.  At Geoformations, our work in Costa Rica’s Pacific Region offered a case study for understanding how shifting funding conditions, across scales, influence the governance space in which NGOs engaged in climate-adaptation operate.  The first instalment in this blog series traced adaptation aid in the region through an assemblage lens, highlighting how the field is influenced by donor-NGO relations, climate politics, and scalar developmental dynamics. In this blog, we focus specifically on how shifting funding conditions are affecting NGOs in the region, and how organisations are navigating the changes.  Though 2025 has brought with it profound changes to the aid system globally, the patterns observed and discussed below may appear familiar to those who have experienced or studied aid downturns in the past. The current conjuncture is marked by top-down decision-making, weak – or in […]
- [Researching NGOs & Climate Adaptation amid Global Aid Shifts: Field Reflections from Costa Rica's Pacific Region](https://geoformations.eu/navigating-global-aid-shifts/): This blog forms Part 1 of a two-part series reflecting on field research undertaken in Costa Rica’s Pacific Region. When tropical storm Sara hit the Pacific region of Costa Rica, infrastructure was damaged, roads were blocked, houses and businesses were flooded, and lives were disrupted for weeks. While the country’s central valley tends to receive more political and economic attention, coastal communities are left with fewer resources to prepare for and respond to extreme weather events like this. In the immediate aftermath, it is largely community-based organisations that step in and take the lead. They coordinate emergency response efforts and, just […]
- [How my time as a Visiting Researcher with GEOFORMATIONS shaped my doctoral research](https://geoformations.eu/how-my-time-as-a-visiting-researcher-with-geoformations-shaped-my-doctoral-research/): My research journey:   When I first reached out to Dr. Susan Murphy, recognising our shared research interests and having followed the GEOFORMATIONS project’s evolution, we discussed the opportunities for collaboration and the requirements for engagement. With a background in law and human rights, I was a relative newcomer to the fields of development studies and human geography. My doctoral research examines the gaps between contemporary climate policies and their implementation, with particular focus on the gendered effects of the climate crisis on women in conflict-affected regions. As such, I could see clear connections between my work and GEOFORMATIONS focus on scale, […]
- [Localisation and the Future of International Development](https://geoformations.eu/localisation-and-the-future-of-international-development/): Our Principal Investigator, Dr. Susan Murphy, recently delivered a webinar in collaboration with E3 at Trinity College Dublin as part of our commitment to amplifying critical debates on localisation, power, and the future of development cooperation. At a time of global funding crises and shifting governance landscapes, this event underscored the contemporary relevance of our ongoing work. In today’s interconnected world, the landscape of international development is undergoing a profound transformation. For decades, the dominant approach has often been top-down, with decisions and resources flowing from global institutions to local communities. However, a powerful movement is gaining momentum, one that champions […]
- [Development Dialogues: GEOFORMATIONS Team Launch Action Research Roundtable Series](https://geoformations.eu/transforming-civil-society-from-within-geoformations-launches-arro-series-on-localisation-in-asia/): The GEOFORMATIONS team recently launched the Action Research Roundtable (ARRO) Series, a platform for collaborative dialogue on key themes and questions within the realm of development practice. The first session in the series, held in December 2024, explored the theme of localisation and the transformation of civil society relations and capacities from within organisations. The event brought together a diverse group of participants, including practitioners from the NGO and CSO sector in Ireland and internationally, donor institution representatives, and academic experts. The event had two key aims: Dr Susan Murphy, GEOFORMATIONS Principal Investigator, opened the event with an overview of the […]
- [A feminist relational perspective on poverty and prosperity](https://geoformations.eu/a-feminist-relational-perspective-on-poverty-and-prosperity/): Understanding the relationship between poverty and prosperity as looped rather than linear prompts reflection and reimagination of the meaning of prosperity and post-growth futures.
- [Developing new frameworks for just governance models](https://geoformations.eu/developing-new-frameworks-for-just-governance-models/): Discussing her research background and the project’s goals with the Office of the Dean of Research, Murphy highlighted the importance of adaptive, inclusive, and just development cooperation governance as complex needs continue to accelerate, and trust and legitimacy in traditional institutions and actors are weak and declining. Why is there a focus on governance assemblages in the civil society space? As Murphy notes, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) play an important role in development cooperation activities. Recent World Bank estimates suggest the number of financed projects involving an NGO or other civil society organisation (CSO) has risen from 21% in 1990 to almost […]

## Pages

- [Our Commitment to Web Accessibility](https://geoformations.eu/accessibility-statement/): GEOFORMATIONS is committed to providing a fully accessible website experience for all users of all abilities, including those who rely on assistive technologies like screen readers, screen enlargement software, and alternative keyboard input devices to navigate the web. Ongoing Efforts to Ensure Accessibility We follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1 as our guiding principle for determining accessibility. These are internationally agreed-upon standards that cover a wide range of recommendations and best practices for making content useable. As we add new pages and functionality to our website, all designs, code, and content entry practices are checked against these standards. […]
- [Field Engagement](https://geoformations.eu/research/field-engagement/): Researching NGOs & Climate Adaptation amid Global Aid Shifts: Field … Ivonne Lopez October 28, 2025 This blog forms Part 1 of a two-part series reflecting on field research undertaken in Costa Rica’s Pacific Region. When tropical storm Sara hit the Pacific region of Costa Rica, infrastructure was damaged, roads were blocked, houses and businesses were flooded, and lives were disrupted for weeks. While the country’s central valley tends to receive more political and economic attention, coastal communities are left with fewer resources to prepare for and respond to extreme weather events like this. In the immediate aftermath, it is largely […]
- [Policy Briefs](https://geoformations.eu/publications/policy-briefs/)
- [Other Research Outputs](https://geoformations.eu/publications/other-research-outputs/)
- [Journal Articles](https://geoformations.eu/publications/journal-articles/)
- [Publications](https://geoformations.eu/publications/)
- [Home](https://geoformations.eu/): Research Project Mapping Governance Assemblages in Development Cooperation We explore how organisations engaged in development cooperation and humanitarian action collaborate to deliver governance processes. What governance systems emerge, and how do these function, flow, and dissolve? Explore Research Publications ABOUT Geoformations is the study of how, why, and in what ways organisations engaged in development cooperation and humanitarian action cooperate and collaborate to deliver governance processes. We study the interactions among international and national non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, and civil actors in assembling governance structures, and how these interactions ensure effective and appropriate governance of sustainable development programs. What governance systems, […]
- [Methodology](https://geoformations.eu/about/methodology/): Geoformations employs a multi-method qualitative research approach, drawing on realist evaluation, assemblage thinking, and participatory action research methods to investigate governance formation processes across development cooperation contexts.
- [Governance Mapping](https://geoformations.eu/research/governance-mapping/): Mapping the governance, regulatory, and policy landscape governing civil society relations and partnership models at multiple scales, from international frameworks to local implementation. To view our research results on an ArcGIS map, visit the following link. ArcGIS Map → This map has been created by the Geoformations team for informational, educational and analytical purposes. Map content has been sourced from publicly available international databases. While we aim to use the most reliable and up-to-date information available, data may contain gaps or change over time. Users are responsible for checking original sources when reusing or interpreting data. The content presented does not necessarily […]
- [Research](https://geoformations.eu/research/): Governance Mapping View Research This interactive map offers an entry point into the complex landscape of development governance across Least Developed Countries (as defined by the United Nations) and our initial field engagement sites. Using secondary data, we bring together key indicators on human development, civil society space, and climate vulnerabilityto offer an integrated view of how these dimensions intersect across different geographies. Rather than presenting a definitive picture, the map below provides a partial yet valuable perspective, highlighting relationships between social, political, and ecological dynamics often examined in isolation. It is an exploratory tool, inviting users to engage with the interconnections that undergird […]
- [Governance & Advisory](https://geoformations.eu/about/governance-advisory/): Enhancing Project Outcomes To support quality assurance, research integrity, and the good governance of the project, an Expert Advisory Board (EAB) plays a pivotal role. This board is instrumental in ensuring that the project adheres to the highest standards of execution from its very inception. By inviting a diverse group of academic and practitioner experts to the EAB, the project gains access to a broad spectrum of knowledge and experience. These experts are tasked with providing comprehensive advice across all facets of the project, thereby fostering an environment of excellence and integrity. Furthermore, the EAB’s responsibilities extend to offering insights on […]
- [Contact](https://geoformations.eu/contact/): Get in touch Looking for more information about our research? Please fill out the form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Contact Details Address: Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland Email: info@geoformations.eu
- [News](https://geoformations.eu/news/): News Posts All Posts Civil Society Organisations Climate Development Studies Environment Ethics Event Global Policy Insights News Development in the Interregnum: Reflecting on the DSAI Annual Conference, … Cynthia Mwende Maswili March 11, 2026 This opinion piece reflecting on the 2026 Development Studies Association Ireland (DSAI) Annual Conference was prepared by the Geoformations team: Maeve McGandy, Researcher; Cynthia Mwende, Research Assistant; Ruby Paterson, PhD Scholar; and Susan Murphy, Principal Investigator. At a moment when the field of development appears to be in flux, the Development Studies Association of Ireland’s (DSAI) recent conference offered more than just a snapshot of current debates […]
- [About](https://geoformations.eu/about/): Geoformations is a European Research Council funded project exploring how organisations engaged in development cooperation and humanitarian action cooperate and collaborate to deliver development outcomes. More specifically, we are interested in understanding the spatial, multiscalar, and temporal dynamics of interactions between international and national non-governmental organisations, national and local actors and civil society organisations working collaboratively to design and deliver sustainable development programs. The core research questions explored through our work are to what extent do transnational constellations of civil society organisations and non-governmental entities model just governance in practice; and how is or might these practices be evaluated and assessed? […]
- [Privacy Policy](https://geoformations.eu/privacy-policy/): Who we are Suggested text: Our website address is: https://geoformations.eu. Comments Suggested text: When visitors leave comments on the site we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection. An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval of your comment, your profile picture is visible to the public in the context of your comment. Media Suggested text: […]

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