The World Social Science Report 2016 raises important challenges for development studies. It highlights the latest social science knowledge on the state of inequalities today and examines the effects of inequalities across multiple dimensions, including gender, environment, access to knowledge, wealth and political power. Overall, the report argues, reducing inequality is, first and foremost, a question of fairness and social justice. It is also key to eradicating extreme poverty, fostering transformations to sustainability, promoting civil progress, reducing conflict and violence, and developing inclusive governance. Looking to the future, the Report suggests transformative responses to inequality at all levels, from the grassroots to global governance.
The report concludes with a clarion call to the research community to address the global challenges presented by inequality, proposing a framework for integrated, global research that can make a difference. It also challenges us to overcome the inequalities of knowledge production about inequality which currently characterise the field. What are the implications of this call for transformative research on inequality for development studies? How can we help to promote stronger research on inequality that is more inclusive?
In this panel, Professor John Gaventa, Director of Research at the Institute of Development Studies, who was one of the co-directors of the 2016 report, will present its main findings and recommendations. The discussants will provide a critical view on key points of the report and engage in a discussion with the panel and the public to discuss the challenges of addressing inequality as a key contemporary issue of our time.
Chair: Julia Schöneberg, European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI)/University of Kassel, Germany
Presenter: John Gaventa, Institute of Development Studies
Discussants: Alberto D. Cimadamore, University of Bergen, and Scientific Director, CROP; and Laura Camfield, University of East Anglia
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