Institute of Commonwealth Studies, Oxford facts for kids
The Institute of Commonwealth Studies was a special research center at the University of Oxford. It existed from 1945 to 1986. Its main goal was to study countries that were once part of the British Empire, now known as the Commonwealth of Nations.
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History of the Institute
The Institute started in 1945. Back then, it was called the Institute of Colonial Studies. Its main job was to train people who would work in the British colonies. These were places ruled by Britain around the world.
From Colonial to Commonwealth
In 1956, the Institute changed its name to the Institute of Commonwealth Studies. This change happened because many countries that were once colonies became independent. They joined a group called the Commonwealth. The new name showed that the Institute's focus was now on these independent nations.
Founding and Early Years
The idea for the Institute came from a plan to improve training for colonial civil servants after World War II. A key person in setting it up was Margery Perham. She was an expert in colonial administration at Oxford. She helped create the committee that oversaw the Institute.
Margery Perham became the first director of the Institute in 1945. She was helped by Col. F.B.H. Drummond. In 1948, both of them left their roles. A special group called the Committee of Management then ran the Institute for a few years.
New Leadership and Location Changes
Sir Reader Bullard became the next director in 1951. Over the years, the Institute moved to different buildings in Oxford. It started at 10 Bardwell Road, then moved to South Parks Road, 10 Keble Road, and finally to Queen Elizabeth House in 1961.
Becoming a New Center
The Institute of Commonwealth Studies continued its work until 1986. At that time, it joined with two other centers. They formed a new place called the International Development Centre. This new center focused on studying how countries develop.
Later, in 2005, this center moved again. It became what is now known as the Oxford Department of International Development. This department still studies important global development issues today.
Past Directors
Here are the people who led the Institute over the years:
- 1945–48 Dame Margery Perham
- 1948–51 Committee of Management (a group of leaders who ran the Institute)
- 1951–56 Sir Reader Bullard
- 1957–61 Elizabeth Millicent Chilver
- 1961–68 A.F.M. Madden
- 1968–78 P.P. Streeten
- 1978–79 K.B. Griffin
