Institute of Development Studies

The development research programmes at IDS are organised in six closely linked multidisciplinary teams.

All IDS courses

PhD by Research

MA Development Studies

MA Poverty and Development

MA Gender and Development

MA Governance and Development

MA Globalisation and Development

MA Participation, Power and Social Change

MA Science, Society and Development

MSc Climate Change and Development

Addis reunion for IDS staff and alumni

Director of Teaching Robert Nurick and Fellows Mark Davies and Keetie Roelen were in Addis Ababa for an alumni dinner.

Latest Bulletin

The Pulse of Egypt’s Revolt

IDS Bulletin Issue: 1 Volume: 43

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Recommended Publication

Innovative approaches to gender and food security (Insights)

Insights

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The biggest development library in Europe

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Management and Funding

IDS was founded in 1966 as an independent research institute based at the University of Sussex. IDS has close links with the University, but is financially and constitutionally independent. It exists as a Charitable Company (no. 877338) limited by guarantee, and registered in England. Its charity number is 306371.

The Institute of Development receives no core funding from the British government. Funds are secured from a range of organisations and represent a combination of research grants and fees from advisory work, teaching, and publication sales. The UK Department for International Development (DFID) is the Institute's largest funder. IDS also receives funds from the European Union, various UN agencies, and a wide range of aid agencies, trusts and foundations. Many of these funds are won competitively.

Top five donors and the % of IDS income they contributed in 2010/11:

UK Department for International Development (47.0%)
Economic and Social Research Council (8.4%)
European Union (4.9%)
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (4.2%)
United Nations (4.0%)

The Institute's annual income is approximately £16.7 million and it has a total staff of about 200 and a current student body of more than 200.

Further financial information is available in our Annual Report and Financial Report and Audited Financial Statements.

IDS Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees consists of members drawn from UK and overseas organisations with expertise in development, research and policy. It includes two staff Trustees and one Trustee nominated by IDS alumni. The Trustees are responsible for agreeing overall strategy and setting policy, monitoring performance and promoting the interests of the Institute. The Board meets twice a year, in June and November. The Board's Nominations Committee consults widely about membership and aims to appoint according to a range of expertise and characteristics that support and reflect the Institute's work. The IDS Director of Strategic Operations serves as Company Secretary.

For the full list of IDS Board of Trustees see the IDS Annual Report 2010/11 (page 39).

Additionally, there are a number of Honorary Members who are:

Honorary Members

Hugh Beevor, Chair of the Royal Mint Board, London
Carol Cosgrove-Sacks, Director, Trade Division, UN Economic Commission for Europe, Geneva
Professor Mike Faber, Former Director of IDS
Carlos Fortin, Deputy Secretary-General, UNCTAD, Geneva
Paul Isenman, Former Head, Strategic Management of Development Cooperation Division, OECD, Paris
Professor Sir Richard Jolly, Research Associate and former Director of IDS
Professor Emanuel de Kadt, Former Deputy Director of IDS
Alex Shakow, Former Executive Secretary, WB/IMF Development Committee, World Bank, Washington
Professor John Toye, Centre for the Study of African Economies, University of Oxford, and former Director of IDS

IDS Resources and Audit Committee

The Resources and Audit Committee is a subcommittee of the Board of Trustees to which it reports. It is charged with overseeing and approving the annual budget, the financial policy and performance of the Institute, including the financial out-turn and statutory accounts, and strategic Human Resources matters. It is chaired by an independent Trustee, and its membership includes the IDS Director, other Trustees with financial experience and external members.

Strategic Management Group

The Strategic Management Group (SMG) is the executive decision-making body of the Institute and is chaired by the Director. The SMG's function is to lead delivery of the strategic plan and make strategic decisions about management and resource issues. The SMG consists of the Research Team Leaders, the Head of Knowledge Services, the Director of Strategic Operations, the Director of Teaching and Alumni Relations and the Head of Communications. It is chaired by the Director. Meetings are held once a month.

A full list of the Trustees and membership of the Strategic Management Group is provided within the IDS Annual Report and Financial Statements.