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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 325–336 of 15404 results

Journal Article

Agronomy and (in)equity: Lead, engage or ignore?

This article explores the implications for development-oriented agronomy of the growing interest in (in)equity as part of the story of food system transformation. We argue that while agronomy is not in a position to lead on addressing (in)equity among farmers, to say nothing of within the food...

6 January 2025

Opinion

Tackling urban internal displacement in the global South

In December, IDS’ Cities Cluster hosted a hybrid seminar examining the challenges and opportunities presented by the growing phenomenon of urban internal displacement in the global South. Moderated by Cities Cluster lead, and urban displacement expert, Dr Dolf te Lintelo, the event offered a...

3 January 2025

Publication

Debt Relief Initiatives: HIPC and MDRI

This K4DD Rapid Evidence Review explores the impact of debt relief initiatives on development outcomes. HIPC (Heavily Indebted Poor Countries) and MDRI (Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative) “remain the largest and most comprehensive debt relief efforts ever launched for low-income...

31 December 2024

Publication

The Sustainability of Tunisia’s Water Resources

This K4DD rapid bibliography elaborates on four dimensions of Tunisia’s water sector. The first and second sections deal with sustainable water use and equality of access in Tunisia, outlining how certain sectors and government policies affect water supply and access. In the third section,...

20 December 2024

News

New global report on transformative change for biodiversity

A new global report assesses the underlying causes of biodiversity loss, as well as the options and obstacles for transformative change. The summary report is published today by the IPBES (Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services). Today's release summarises the...

18 December 2024

News

Top 10 opinion pieces from 2024

The year 2024 was marked by significant political, environmental, and humanitarian events that shaped global affairs. More than 60 countries representing nearly half of the world’s population voted for national elections. Israel's ongoing war on Gaza, along with its military operations in...

18 December 2024

Brief

What Does a Good Digital Welfare State Look Like?

IDS Policy Briefing 217

The introduction of ‘digital-by-default’ welfare and social protection systems in the UK and beyond has delivered efficiencies and cost savings for governments and can be convenient for recipients. But, given the rapid pace of change, we need to understand the ethical, social, and political...

18 December 2024

News

Podcast: Navigating uncertainty – radical rethinking for a turbulent World

Uncertainties are everywhere. Whether it’s climate change, financial volatility, pandemic outbreaks or new technologies, we don’t know what the future will hold. For many contemporary challenges, navigating uncertainty – where we cannot predict what may happen – is essential. But how is...

17 December 2024

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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