Institute of Development Studies

IDS Series Titles

IDS aims to stimulate debate and influence the way people think about development issues. It has an active publishing programme ranging from final research reports to working papers presenting research at its early stages.

The links below take you to a chronological list of the titles in each series.

IDS Working Papers

Present work in progress and interim results from a wide range of current research projects. Fifteen to twenty working papers are published annually.

IDS Discussion Papers

Presentation of new ideas and research material, circulated to stimulate discussion and comment. This is an occasional peer reviewed series.

IDS Research Reports

Final reports of major research projects carried out at IDS. Policy conclusions are backed up by detailed analysis, data, methodology and references. This is an occasional series.

IDS Research Summaries

Two-page summaries of IDS Working Papers and other key research outputs. Each edition explores the literature on a major development theme and provides a comprehensive guide to readers. Entries are fully annotated and indexed, and an overview chapter sets the debate around the subject in context. Ideal for those with limited access to the literature and for students and others who need to update themselves on a subject quickly. This is an occasional series.

IDS In Focus Policy Briefings

These four-page briefings present concise, policy-focused reviews of current development issues. Recent editions have covered the growth of business associations in developing countries, the use of PRA methods in policy making and the World Food Summit.

IDS Practice Papers

This series is a bridge between the considered reflection of Working Papers and the policy-oriented In Focus Policy Briefings; and aims for high quality engaged scholarship with the development community. 

IDS Practice Papers In Brief 

Produced by the Impact and Learning Team (ILT) at IDS, the In Briefs aim to share research experiences and learning around ideas we are exploring in the context of the work on knowledge brokers and information intermediaries.

Climate Lite

Climate Lite is a series of video and short electronic briefings. It is designed to help researchers, field practitioners and policymakers stay up-to-date with key subjects, questions and research findings on climate change and development research.