Institute of Development Studies

IDS celebrates the University of Sussex’s 50th anniversary

8 September 2011 - Richard Longhurst

As the University of Sussex celebrates its 50th anniversary, you come to realise this means IDS celebrates its 45th. The two institutions were underway more or less together and have grown together side by side since then. 

As Professor Sir Richard Jolly, IDS Director from 1972-1981 pointed out in his history of IDS, the impetus for a national institute for training in development studies came from the newly founded UK Ministry of Overseas Development in 1965 (then ODM, now DFID).  This new institute was sited at the equally newly founded University of Sussex, then a swinging university with the highest profile of all the new universities. 

A brief history

The new IDS came to Sussex in large part because of the University’s own innovative and pioneering approaches and despite strong lobbying from older universities. By October 1967, Dudley Seers joined IDS as Director, from his post as Director-General of ODM. IDS settled initially in the grand surroundings of Stanmer House after a short spell in Essex House and a subsequent year in Lancaster House. In 1970, IDS moved to its current location on campus, with its own purpose built-library, the British Library of Development Studies. 
 

IDS developed rapidly, with an expanding programme of research and in 1973 a two-year MPhil in Development Studies, taught mainly by IDS Fellows with inputs from the University. Both institutions benefited, soon there were 10 applications for every place available. Collaboration between teachers and researchers located in the University with IDS 40 yards away on Library Road, has been strong and fruitful precisely because of the innovative nature of the University’s approach to interdisciplinary studies. At the same time, development studies has never had an easy ride in terms of recognition among university disciplines. Yet its growth over the last 50 years to become an important global area for research, development and action has been strongly influenced by inputs and perspectives developed in Sussex.  

It is impossible to give full justice to all of the campus synergies in this short commentary, and it is necessarily selective. Some of the departmental labels have changed on a regular basis in both institutions: AFRAS, Graduate School of Arts and Social Studies, EDB, School of Global Studiesat Sussex and the different ‘Problem Area’ groups at IDS, Rupag, Humpag, Interpag and Humpag, through to the current six teams.

Continued collaboration 

Joint work today covers a number of priority areas in poverty, trade, education, gender, science and technology. IDS and SPRU have had many years of collaborative and joint appointments. University and IDS staff continue to cross back and forth over Library Road for the longer term of new appointments, challenges, as well as shorter term engagements of Sussex Development Lectures, IDS Members seminars, shared UoS and IDS students, vigorous debate and the opportunity to meet and eat in the canteen.

Without doubt, development studies in the IDS and Sussex has made an impact - nationally and far beyond - because of the strength of its research and teaching but not least because of its questioning rejection of orthodoxies and the status quo. Long may this continue. 

We were pleased to welcome 42 alumni and colleagues past and present to a celebratory lunch on Saturday 10 September as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations. Photos of the event can be found here.

Related Events

Sussex 50th Anniversary - IDS Alumni Hosted Lunch

Dates: 10 Sep 2011

Related Publications

• Jolly, R. (2008) 'A Short History of IDS: A Personal Reflection', IDS Discussion Paper 388, Brighton: IDS