Can you help shape our future priorities? Take a five minute survey now. Survey closes on 8 July.

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

Filter results by

Showing 409–420 of 15397 results

Opinion

Unlocking the power of social protection

Two decades ago, IDS published a working paper called ‘Transformative Social Protection’ that would prove to have enormous influence on social protection thinking and development policy. The fundamental idea was that social protection should extend beyond its narrow initial focus on...

Jeremy Lind
Jeremy Lind & 3 others

28 October 2024

Opinion

Navigating uncertainty: a blog compilation

Over the last 8 weeks I have provided a summary of each of the chapters of my new book, Navigating Uncertainty: Radical Rethinking for a Turbulent World. Published by Polity Books, it came out in Europe in August and in the US in October. It’s free to download or you can buy a copy with a...

28 October 2024

Opinion

Global health must be a central pillar of the UK’s reengagement with China

Following Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s visit to Beijing as part of an effort to normalise relations, we need to think through reengagement with China on global health and development. This is important given the background of huge global challenges and a contested international landscape...

24 October 2024

Brief

Key Considerations: Mutual Aid Lessons and Experiences From Emergency Response Rooms in Sudan

SSHAP Briefing

The civil war in the Republic of Sudan, which began in April 2023, has fuelled and exacerbated an already severe humanitarian crisis. As of September 2024, over 25 million people – half the country’s population – need assistance. In response, grassroots movements have emerged, drawing on...

Samantha K. Olson

& 2 others

24 October 2024

News

New funding to improve risk modelling for bird flu

IDS is leading one of 12 new teams receiving UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding to tackle infections. The ‘Zoonotic influenza preparedness: a transdisciplinary One Health approach’ (ZIP) project seeks to develop new ways of thinking about the risk factors for bird flu (avian...

24 October 2024

Report

WFP’s support to strengthening the national social protection system in the Philippines

This case study reviews WFP’s support to the national social protection system in the Philippines since 2018, in particular to the government’s flagship nutrition-sensitive social protection programme Walang Gutom. It also examines WFP’s efforts aimed at improving the...

Manucheher Shafee

24 October 2024

Past Event

CEDCA Panel Discussion: Opposition and resistance to clean energy transition

While switching from fossil fuels to clean energy addresses the climate crisis and offers development opportunities, opposition to the transition is rife. The panel will discuss the pitfalls of clean energy transition, and the drivers thereof, and strategies to inform policy and practice. Watch...

24 October 2024

Brief

Key Considerations: Humanitarian Responses to Famine and War in Sudan

SSHAP Briefing

The Republic of Sudan is suffering a catastrophic famine. The entire country is in food crisis or food emergency. In July 2024, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) declared famine in the Zamzam camp for internally displaced people in North Darfur, near El Fasher; between...

23 October 2024

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).

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.