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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 937–948 of 15413 results

Report

Life Stories From Children Working in Bangladesh’s Leather Sector and its Neighbourhoods: Told and Analysed by Children

CLARISSA Research and Evidence Paper 5

This paper is a record of the children’s analysis of the life stories and key themes they identified, which formed the basis of a series of seven child-led Participatory Action Research groups.

8 November 2023

Student Opinion

Increasing my impact for social good

Abhishek Saini is a 2023/24 MA Governance, Development & Public Policy student at IDS. This is his first time in the UK, and he is the first person in his family to study abroad. We caught up with Abhishek about what led him to IDS, and his aspirations for the future. The first time I saw the...

Abhishek Saini

6 November 2023

News

New online course content: biodiversity, climate, policy

The PASTRES programme, co-hosted by IDS and the European University Institute, free open access online course on Pastoralism and Uncertainty has been updated with new sections. The three new sections explore the issues around biodiversity and climate change, shaped in part by high-level...

6 November 2023

Opinion

Obituary: Saleemul Huq, a passionate voice for climate justice

The recent sudden death of Saleemul Huq on 28 October 2023 has shocked and saddened thousands of people who were touched by his zeal, kindness, generosity of spirit and gentle humour. All have been inspired by his vision and deep commitment to making the world a better place. His work and...

Terry Cannon
Terry Cannon & 4 others

2 November 2023

News

Podcast: Foreign aid and its unintended consequences

Foreign aid and international development frequently bring with it a range of unintended consequences, both negative and positive. This episode of the IDS Between the Lines podcast delves into these consequences, providing a fresh and comprehensive guide to understanding and addressing...

1 November 2023

Opinion

Are robot lawyers the future of increasing access to justice?

In March 2023 GPT-4 passed the solicitors qualifying exam (the SQE) which is the national qualifying exam to become a solicitor in the UK. In the same month GPT-4 also passed the Bar Exam in the United States. Does this mean that in the future we will no longer need lawyers, as all our legal...

1 November 2023

Publication

Digitalisation and Subnational Tax Administration in Nigeria

African Tax Administration Paper; 29

Recently, there has been an expansion in the deployment of digital systems and digital IDs among taxing authorities. However, little is known about the extent to which such technologies are being adopted, or about whether the data from them is being used strategically to improve tax...

Abdulsalam Mas’ud

& 2 others

1 November 2023

Working Paper

Big Data for Development Studies? An Innovative Methodology

IDS Working Paper 596

This paper makes a foundational methodological contribution to the analysis of big data for development studies. Big data has revolutionised the natural and applied sciences (and commerce). However, its use within development studies has been comparatively limited.

31 October 2023

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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