Our work in governance and conflict examines how citizens can be represented and governed fairly, as well as the impact of conflict and protracted crises on people’s lives.
We investigate public authority and the institutions and politics that shape it, in particular the recent increase of authoritarianism and the mobilisation against it. Crucial areas of exploration include equitable tax policies, civic action, and the impact of digital technologies on democracy and freedom.
Our research also seeks to better understand the effects of conflict on different development issues and articulate how states can provide social assistance to marginalised populations in times of crisis.
The power of communities during civic space closure in Central America
24 June 2025
International Centre for Tax and Development (ICTD)
An independent research centre focused on improving tax policy and administration in lower-income countries.
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Humanitarian Learning Centre
Bringing together high-quality analysis, dialogue and debate with accessible, operational learning to improve humanitarian response, practice and policy.
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Better Assistance in Crises Research (BASIC)
Examining why, how and when to use social protection approaches in different crisis contexts, to deliver more effective social assistance so that vulnerable people cope better with crises and meet their basic needs.
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Digital Authoritarianism
Contributing to arresting democratic regression across Africa by identifying, documenting and analysing existing and newly emerging elements of digital authoritarianism and the practices of digital citizenship that work best to mitigate or overcome them.
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Covid-19 Learning, Evidence and Research Programme in Bangladesh (CLEAR)
A 2.5 year FCDO-funded programme to support an evidence-informed Covid-19 response and recovery in Bangladesh.
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Economic democracy
Our work aims to show how at the same time as the processes of environmental decay, social deprivation and economic and political concentration are generating growing discontent, they are also creating opportunities to democratise the economy.
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MA Governance. Development and Public Policy
This degree provides you with a theoretical and practical understanding of debates on political change and how public authority is created and exercised.
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Find out more about our work in governance and conflict.
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This paper examines the politics and dynamics of social assistance in Yemen, where international humanitarian aid dominates support to conflict-affected populations.
June 2025
Tax is not only the primary source of financing in lower-income countries, but also the lynchpin of development finance.
June 2025
Read the English version of this opinion. Cada vez que una comunidad se organiza, aprende y cuida de los suyos, está ejerciendo poder. Ese poder no siempre aparece en los titulares, pero allí está. Lo…
June 2025
This brief explores public support for wealth taxation and the factors that shape those attitudes in Pakistan.
June 2025