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

Research Associate

Ana Pueyo

Research Fellow

Carlos Fortin

Research Associate

Rachel Sabates-Wheeler

Rural Futures Cluster Lead

Keetie Roelen

IDS Honorary Associate

Giel Ton

Research Fellow

Programmes and centres

Projects

Recent work

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Showing 1213–1224 of 14678 results

Opinion

Pandemics and the paradoxes of life stories in Kikwit

Local communities in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo, have long endured the ravages of local ravines, without government assistance. Their political marginalisation and distrust of the central government mean that state-led Covid-19 pandemic response are failing in the area. The...

13 April 2022

News

K4D Conflict, Peace and Humanitarian Resource Hub

Recent global events, such as the invasion in Ukraine, are increasing the need for more evidence and learning related to conflict, peace and humanitarianism. This resource hub brings together reports and resources from the Knowledge, Evidence and Learning for Development (K4D) Programme,...

13 April 2022

Brief

Cambodia’s Covid-19 Response and Migrant Workers

IDS Policy Briefing 193

This briefing examines Cambodia’s Covid-19 response to highlight how knock-on effects have disproportionately impacted vulnerable migrants and informal domestic workers, including human-trafficking survivors.

Keo Bunthea & 3 others

12 April 2022

News

New UK aid statistics for 2021 confirm drastic funding cuts

Today the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) published new statistics on how UK aid was spent in 2021, comparing aid spending with 2020. Analysis by Bond shows that the statistics confirm a £4.6 billion decrease in spending as a result of a decreased aid budget, now at 0.5% of...

12 April 2022

Opinion

Peace urgently needed for Ethiopia

While countries in the global North have been united in condemning the Russian invasion in Ukraine, there has been little global action taken around another war. One that is probably even more horrifying. The reason? I believe it’s because it is not in Europe affecting white people, but...

12 April 2022

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).