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Conflict and Violence

Our work provides a nuanced and realistic understanding of the relationship between violence, conflict, security and development. It aims to help policymakers, practitioners and citizens to develop policies and practices that strengthen people’s efforts to secure their own lives and livelihoods and improve the functioning of political institutions responsible for security and the management and prevention of conflict, and for the development of peace.

We examine the multiple layers and contexts in which violence manifests – from household to state and global level – and pinpoint the links and overlaps between these layers. This includes exploring the nature of, and responses to conflict and violence in rapidly expanding urban areas.  We have a done pioneering work on the dynamics of micro-level conflict, violence and development as well as on citizen action in violent contexts. Our research on gender, men and masculinities and gender-based violence has provided new insights on how to change attitudes, norms and behaviours for equality, peace and justice.

Another focal area is the dynamics of policy processes around conflict, violence and security examining the key framing and narratives. We explore non-traditional forms of security, especially linked to water, energy, food and health as well as post conflict and state building issues affecting service delivery and livelihoods, and are also developing new participatory approaches to peacebuilding. 

People

Patricia Justino

Professorial Fellow

Rebecca Mitchell

Postgraduate Researcher and Programme Manager

Gauthier Marchais

Research Fellow

Jeremy Allouche

Professorial Fellow

Jeremy Lind

Professorial Fellow

Juan Carlos Muñoz-Mora

Post Doctoral Researcher

Marinella Leone

Research Fellow

Robin Luckham

Emeritus Fellow

Programmes and centres

Recent work

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Showing 241–252 of 15404 results

Opinion

How do young people get land in post-land reform Zimbabwe?

Gaining access to land for the next generation is a struggle in Zimbabwe. There is huge demand as the last blog discussed, but there are very few simple options. Many young people have to cobble together different sources of land, perhaps waiting for a formal allocation or an inheritance. We...

3 March 2025

Publication

Coastal Poverty and Vulnerability Dynamics

This K4DD Rapid Evidence Review explores poverty and vulnerability dynamics of coastal areas. Coastal areas are typically densely populated, with high levels of social and economic activity, and distinct environmental challenges arising from climate change impacts, land degradation, and...

28 February 2025

Opinion

Stephen D. Biggs: An appreciation of his professional life

Stephen D. Biggs, who has recently died, was at IDS from 1969 to 1973 and was part of a group who went on to make long-lasting and pioneering contributions to rural development and wider development policy and action. Below is an appreciation of his academic life from colleagues who knew him...

Simon Maxwell
Simon Maxwell & 9 others

28 February 2025

Publication

An Inclusive Lens on Aid for Trade

IDS Policy Briefing 218

In a rapidly evolving global trade and development landscape, addressing trade-related challenges through aid for trade (AfT) remains highly relevant. This Policy Briefing provides a framing for an inclusive lens on AfT to enable more inclusive policy and programming.

Amrita Saha
Amrita Saha & 2 others

27 February 2025

Why learn with us.

In an extraordinary time of challenge and change, we use more than 50 years of expertise to transform development approaches that create more equitable and sustainable futures. The work you do with us will help make progressive change towards universal development; to build and connect solidarities for collective action, locally and globally. The University of Sussex has been ranked 1st in the world for Development Studies for the past five years (QS World University Rankings by Subject).

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