Institute of Development Studies
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Knowledge, Technology and Society Team
Linking technological change in health, agriculture and environment to poverty reduction and social justice.
Social, Technological and Environmental Pathways to Sustainability (STEPS) Centre
The Social, Technological and Environmental Pathways to Sustainability (STEPS) Centre, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, is an interdisciplinary global research and policy engagement hub bringing together development and science and technology studies.
We are developing a unique pathways approach that interweaves socio-political, technological and ecological changes while acknowledging the dynamism of contemporary systems and the diversity of local conditions. The STEPS Centre addresses two vital global challenges: linking environmental sustainability with better livelihoods and health for poor people; and making science and technology work to reduce poverty and increase social justice. The STEPS Centre is a collaboration between the Institute of Development Studies and SPRU (Science and Technology Policy Research) with a network of partners in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Our research
Our research links three major domains - food and agriculture; health and disease; water and sanitation - with three themes - dynamics, governance and designs. Through linking findings across projects, domains and themes the STEPS Centre will connect new theory with practical approaches to create opportunities for poor and marginalised people.
Why STEPS, why now?
Environments, technologies and societies are changing at a growing pace and scale. Climate change, diseases like BSE, HIV/AIDS and avian 'flu, novel chemical and biotechnologies, and rapid population and information flows and growth of market relationships are just a few examples. The STEPS Centre will investigate what new concepts, methods and policy arrangements are needed to respond to such 21st century challenges? And how can environmental sustainability and advances in science and technology be linked with assuring better livelihoods, health and social justice for poorer people in developing countries?
For more information contact:
Harriet Le Bris, STEPS Centre administrative coordinator
E-mail: steps-centre@ids.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1273 915673
Media Inquiries:
Julia Day STEPS Centre communications officer
E-mail: j.day@ids.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1273 915671 / M: 07974 209148 / Skype: juliaday1
- IDS key contact: Melissa Leach
- Project dates: October 2006 - October 2011
- Project status: Open
- Funder: Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
Researchers
- Gerry Bloom
- Melissa Leach
- Hayley MacGregor
- Lyla Mehta
- Ian Scoones
- John Thompson
- Linda Waldman
- Pritpal Randhawa
- Paul Forster
- Sarah Dry
- Julia Day
- Alan Nicol
- Sally Brooks
- Harriet Dudley
- Nathan Oxley
- Jeremy Allouche
- Adrian Ely , SPRU, University of Sussex
- Fiona Marshall, SPRU, University of Sussex
- Erik Millstone, SPRU, University of Sussex
- Paul Nightingale, SPRU, University of Sussex
- Adrian Smith, SPRU, University of Sussex
- Sigrid Stagl, SPRU, University of Sussex
- Andy Stirling, SPRU, University of Sussex
Partners
STEPS is offering two new PhD studentships for 2012 focusing on: climate change and uncertainty in urban India; and social-ecological dynamics of disease transmission. Deadline Feb 16. Download the studentships flyer (pdf 136kb) More details on the teaching page
In the run up to Rio+20, Julia Day takes a look at the issues, hopes and concerns for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, on the Guardian's Poverty Matters blog. Poverty Matters blog: It's time for sustainable development
In May 2012, the STEPS Centre will run a Summer School on Pathways to Sustainability at the University of Sussex. The Summer School will involve innovative forms of teaching and interaction with leading researchers in the field. Details and how to apply (pdf, 400kb) Summer School event page
The STEPS Centre director Melissa Leach will represent the Centre in two UK Parliament events next week. After the Centre's submission to the Science and Technology Select Committee's inquiry in to science and development, Melissa was asked to give oral evidence to the Committee on Wednesday February 8. The session will be live streamed from 10am, details will appear on the Commitee's website. The evening before, on Tuesday February 7, Melissa will be sitting on a panel at an event organise
What is it like to be an MA student at Institute of Development Studies? A graduate of the 2011 cohort talks about why she moved from New Delhi to take the MA Science, Society and Development. Shweta Srinivasan, was working for the Indo-Asian News Service, an International News Agency based in New Delhi, India, when she decided she needed to engage more fully with development issues and policy.After thorough research she realised the course that would most meet her needs was the MA Science, Soci
Steve Waddell, founding Executive Director of Global Action Network Net (GAN-Net) and Leadership for Change (among his many other activities) has written on his blog about the STEPS Centre's recent flagship book, Dynamic Sustainabilities; Technology, Environment, Social Justice. His piece, entitled Sustainability Networks for Stability, Durability, Resilience and Robustness, takes a critical look at the arguments put forward by the book's authors, Melissa Leach, Ian Scoones and Andy Stirlin
stepscentre: Seminar today at @SussexUni - John Thompson on our maize project. All welcome. Arundel 1B 12.30-2pm http://t.co/gZdANkp9
stepscentre: Here's the recording of our director, Prof Melissa Leach, giving evidence to Parliament today on sci & tech: http://t.co/jxiCGtq1
stepscentre: Our director gives evidence to the UK Sci & Tech Select Committee on science & int development today http://t.co/KDJG2LFv