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Inclusive Economies

Our work explores what characterises inclusive economies and how these can be achieved, particularly in a world where new technologies, rural to urban migration, and growing youth populations are disrupting and putting new pressures on people’s lives and livelihoods.

Our research looks at the impacts of business and markets on development and inequality and explores the potential for novel market-based solutions to work for the poorest and most marginalised based on gender, ethnicity and disability.  It explores alternatives that enable workers, consumers and communities to have a real voice.

It continues to revitalise debates on agriculture as a key pathway out of poverty and towards inclusion, particularly for young people. Our work is focused on identifying what opportunities exist in a period of agricultural commercialisation and rural transformation and how far different groups are able to access them.  It also understands how new technologies such as drones or blockchains pose risks, but can also be harnessed to improve the lives of the poorest and most marginalised people.  In a rapidly urbanising world where cities have become focal points for economic growth, jobs and innovation but also for poverty, inequality, vulnerability and conflict, our work explores what this means for both urban and rural people, and the opportunities and challenges they face in living safe and fulfilling lives.

People

Jodie Thorpe

Research Fellow

Philip Mader

Research Fellow

Richard Jolly

Emeritus Fellow and Research Associate

Ana Pueyo

Research Fellow

Carlos Fortin

Emeritus Fellow and Research Associate

Rachel Sabates-Wheeler

Research Fellow

Keetie Roelen

IDS Honorary Associate

Giel Ton

Research Fellow

Programmes and centres

Projects

Recent work

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Showing 1213–1224 of 15397 results

News

IDS publishes Equity and Inclusion review

The Institute of Development Studies has today published an Equity and Inclusion review, outlining the organisation’s progress towards creating and sustaining an equitable and inclusive workplace. This review aimed to highlight the current experiences of staff at the Institute and make...

9 May 2023

Opinion

The failure of ‘resilience’ projects in northern Kenya: what can we learn?

Moving across northern Kenya, roadsides are strewn with signs proclaiming projects creating ‘resilience’ amongst pastoral communities. The ‘Regional Pastoral Livelihoods Resilience Project’, the ‘Drought Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods’ programme, the ‘Resilience...

Tahira Mohamed

5 May 2023

News

Announcing the fifth cohort of social science and humanitarian fellows

The Social Science in Humanitarian Action Platform (SSHAP) – a partnership between the Institute of Development Studies, Anthrologica, Gulu University, Le Groupe D’etudes Sur Les Conflits Et La Sécurité Humaine (GEC-SH), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and University of...

4 May 2023

Opinion

Can artisanal milk markets in Ghana and Kenya support rural livelihoods?

Milk plays important cultural, nutritional and economic roles in the lives of agropastoralists in Kenya and Ghana. Our research finds that agropastoralists and policy actors alike are intrigued by the potential of a market for heritage milk products, but market development is impeded by poor...

Eric Kioko & 3 others

3 May 2023

Opinion

The future of evidence-informed decision-making practice: redefining perspectives for improved impact

As a growing multi-disciplinary field, evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) needs to draw out its unique qualities, irrespective of the perspectives from which they may have originated. As a result, I consider it very intelligent for the request of this Think Piece to present an...

3 May 2023

Opinion

Ethical considerations on recall methods in violent conflict research

Conflicts significantly impact countries, populations and individuals. Investigating and understanding new forms of power relations and social orders emerging in these contexts is necessary to break the cycle of silence surrounding them and contribute to peacebuilding and conflict prevention....

Veronica Corbellini, IDS Alumni MA GAD 2021-2022

3 May 2023

Brief

Milk Markets in Agropastoral Areas of Africa

IDS Policy Briefing 211

This briefing suggests how markets in artisanal milk products may contribute to agropastoralist livelihoods in semi-arid Africa. In some of these areas, milk plays important nutritional and cultural roles, but production is declining due to environmental changes.

3 May 2023

Opinion

The maize value web in Zimbabwe: new business opportunities

Last week, the ‘hidden middle’ around maize production and sale was introduced. From across our sites in Chikombedzi, Triangle, Matobo, Wondedzo, Chatsworth and Mvurwi, in this blog we offer a few case studies of the diversity of players in these business networks. The scale of operations...

2 May 2023

Brief

Immersive Research for Safer Sanitation in Bihar and Maharashtra, India

SLH Learning Paper;14

In 2022, FINISH Mondial and the Sanitation Learning Hub conducted a participatory and immersive research study to understand ground realities and lived experiences of sanitation and hygiene access in Nandurbar district, Maharashtra and Darbhanga district, Bihar in India. The main objectives for...

2 May 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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