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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 217–228 of 15397 results

Working Paper

Towards Transformative Change: Grass-roots Innovations for Food Security During Crises in Brighton & Hove, UK

IDS Working Paper 617

This Working Paper analyses the emergence and evolution of three community-led initiatives focused on food insecurity, with the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and the ensuing cost-of-living crisis as the backdrop.

13 March 2025

Past Event

Achieving equitable wellbeing for all – introducing the NOURISH initiative

Watch now https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgw2B1ErNwk Understanding how we achieve equitable wellbeing for all can be daunting in a world of rapidly shifting geopolitics, democratic systems failures, and gaping wealth inequalities. In this event we introduce the NOURISH initiative which...

13 March 2025

Past Event

Powering change: Women, youth, and the clean energy revolution

Women and youth face systemic barriers to accessing clean energy opportunities. This panel explores evidence-based policies and business strategies from Africa and MENA to ensure a gender-inclusive energy transition. Experts will discuss skills development, finance, and social policies needed to...

13 March 2025

News

IDS and Sussex ranked first for development studies for ninth year running

The Institute of Development Studies (IDS), in partnership with the University of Sussex, has been ranked first in the world for Development Studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 for the ninth consecutive year. The consistent number one ranking for Development...

12 March 2025

News

IDS at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

From the 10 to 21 March, people from all over the world will gather in New York for the sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), which marks the thirtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. While progress on rights has...

11 March 2025

Past Event

Time for a rethink of the tax identification number?

This event will highlight key insights from the forthcoming publication, co-produced by the World Bank and IDS-based International Centre for Tax and Development (ICTD), on tax identification numbers.

11 March 2025

Opinion

Development spending cuts will hit women and girls

This year’s International Women’s Day has just passed, with UN Women calling for rights, equality and empowerment for all women and girls.  However, this task has just got much harder after the drastic cuts made to international development budgets by the US, UK and the Netherlands in the...

10 March 2025

Past Event

Countering Backlash: Towards a feminist future

The very ideas – let alone the possibilities – of gender and social justice are under attack the world over. These attacks are becoming increasingly acute, multi-layered, and globally resonant, seeking to erase language, movements, legal frameworks, and even entire communities. Watch...

10 March 2025

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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