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 25–36 of 14908 results

Opinion

The financial crash: lessons from pastoralists?

This blog continues the short series on the new book, Navigating Uncertainty: Radical Rethinking for a Turbulent World. In the chapter on Finance and banking, I look at the 2007-08 financial crash and how particular models and regulatory practices created a false sense of security through the...

9 September 2024

Report

IDS Annual Review 2024

IDS Annual Review

Over the last year worsening crises continue to affect the lives and livelihoods of millions of people globally, meaning our vision of a more equitable and sustainable world feels more vital, relevant and urgent than ever. Our Annual Review 2023-24 highlights the many successes we have...

4 September 2024

Opinion

Addressing gender disparities in tax expenditures

As the fiscal space of governments worldwide is becoming more constrained, ensuring efficient use of revenues is moving up policy agendas. Tax expenditures are benefits granted through the tax system to specific groups, sectors, or activities. With trillions of dollars spent through these...

Sofia Berg & 2 others

4 September 2024

News

IDS releases its Annual Review for 2023-24

The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) has published our  Annual Review 2023-24, highlighting the progress we have made towards our vision of a more equitable and sustainable world. Read the Annual Review 2023-24 IDS Board Chair Deepak Nayyar said: “The need for world-class...

4 September 2024

Opinion

Navigating uncertainty: introducing a new book

Whether it’s climate change, financial volatility, pandemic outbreaks or new technologies, we don’t know what the future will hold. Uncertainties are everywhere. But how can we navigate them successfully? As Helga Nowotny described in her book, such “uncertainties are written into the...

2 September 2024

Impact Story

Future development leaders find their vocations and voices at IDS

IDS teaching aims to produce the next generation of informed and knowledgeable leaders and experts, equipping them to respond to societal and environmental challenges. A launch pad for careers Eesha Kapoor and Shreyan Acharya graduated from the MA Development Studies course in the 2021-2022...

1 September 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).