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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 1021–1032 of 15434 results

Publication

Youth-led Preservation of Syriac Orthodox Heritage in Syria

This report explores the Sayfo genocide, also known as the Asyrian genocide, and a youth-led project that brought together the Syriac Orthodox community in Syria to remember and memorialise those who were killed in the genocide. Produced as part of the IDS-led and British Academy funded...

18 September 2023

Brief

Exploring Female-headed Households’ Sanitation Needs, Tasikmalaya

SLH Learning Paper;17

Female-headed households often get left behind in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programming and policy. This Sanitation Learning Hub Learning Paper presents findings and recommendations for action, from the participatory video research project, ‘Sanitation, health and livelihood issues...

18 September 2023

Opinion

The Sustainable Development Goals: A missed opportunity

The SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) are at their mid-point of implementation to 2030. Some are claiming there are reasons to be ‘hopeful’, but I am not. I was back in 2015 when they were launched, as they seemed a real opportunity to address transformations to sustainability across...

18 September 2023

Working Paper

Landscapes of (In)justice: Reflecting on Voices, Spaces, and Alliances for Just Transition

IDS Working Paper 594

Diverse groups of citizens need to be engaged in the design and implementation of global energy transition policies across all scales and sectors for them to succeed and be socially acceptable. But how? And what lessons can we take from emerging practice to guide future action?

Peter Newell & 2 others

18 September 2023

Opinion

Youth in Africa and the future of democracy

Democracy around the world is under threat. Young people are often looked at as ‘the next generation’ who can rescue it, defying authoritarian regimes and forces on national and global levels. But as a highly diverse group, there are some young people that will, and are, supporting and...

15 September 2023

News

Beyond rhetoric, towards action: hope at the halfway point

A week ahead of the UN SDG Summit in New York, an event organised by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) used the mid-point of the Sustainable Development Goals to take stock of global collaboration on development. Entitled Hope at the halfway point: Forging a shared agenda for change,...

14 September 2023

Working Paper

Participation For, With, and By Girls: Evidencing Impact

REJUVENATE Working Paper 2

This paper presents the findings of a review of publicly available, published evidence on the efficacy of development projects that self-identify as ‘girl-led’, both within academic literature and from established organisations working with girls.

Tessa Lewin
Tessa Lewin & 4 others

13 September 2023

News

Aid watchdog criticises UK Government

The Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) has published a report today criticising decisions made by the UK Government over the past four years, which ICAI says has had a negative impact on the effectiveness of the UK’s Official Development Assistant (ODA). It highlights the disruption...

13 September 2023

Brief

Waste Pickers Are Part of the Solution to Solid Waste Management in Senegal

Story of Change

Waste pickers from the Bokk Diom organisation, working at Dakar’s Mbeubeuss landfill, continued to provide essential waste management services throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. However, their incomes and livelihoods are threatened by the transformation of the city's waste management system, a...

Olga Abizaid & 3 others

13 September 2023

Journal Article

Fuel Subsidy Protests in Nigeria: The Promise and Mirage of Empowerment

Attempts to abolish fuel subsidies by successive governments in Nigeria have provoked serious backlash in the form of protests and violence. What maybe said to be the use of such public protests? The literature draws attention to the link between fuel subsidies and protests, but it is still...

13 September 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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