The International and Rural Development Department (IRDD) was formed in 2001 through the merger of the Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Department (AERDD) and the International Development Centre (IDC).

Set up in 1965, as the Centre for Training in Agricultural Extension, AERDD has a long and well established reputation for teaching, consultancy and research in agricultural development interventions and rural social development in Third World and transitional economies. This work now encompasses the broader dimensions of natural resource livelihood development, international changes in public and private service provision, and the nature of civil society and governance.

Created in 1995 by Departments with 'development' concerns and activities, IDC has stimulated the creation of innovative cross-department/faculty postgraduate programmes and research in international development, drawing together University wide development expertise in areas such as finance, environment and human resource development, that apply across all sectoral and geographic divisions of development.

Today IRDD combines the depth and experience of teaching and research in natural resource livelihoods of AERDD with the international development expertise developed at IDC as a new centre for development research and teaching at the University of Reading.

However, despite the many changes we have made to improve upon the services delivered through teaching, training, research and consultancy work, IRDD remains committed to bridging the world of academic thought and professional deed. Through emphasising the need to enhance practical skills as well as intellectual understanding, IRDD continues to provide a unique learning environment for students, researchers and development professionals.