The case for linking research with the preparation of teaching materials in Development Studies continues to obsess academics and practitioners. This article focuses on some current trends and problems in development research with particular reference to recent developments in the Department of Administrative Studies, Manchester. A research project was set up in 1973 to update the Department's knowledge and understanding of the changing milieu in developing countries, and to identify and prepare teaching materials in order to maintain relevant and challenging study programmes. The results of the project and some ways in which collaborative research can make a better contribution to the curricula of development studies are discussed in this article.