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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 457–468 of 15397 results

Opinion

Observations on development from scientist-artists

There was a period in the late 19th and 20th centuries when the worlds of art and science were seen as opposed to one another. Of course, the distinction is important: works of art are often intended to be ambiguous or ironic, while science is expected to be rigorously true to the...

30 September 2024

Report

Recognising Heritage for Human Rights and Development

This study by Sofya Shahab focuses on the ways in which the Cultural Protection Fund intersects with the Integrated Review (IR), the objectives of Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) funding and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FDCO) International Development Strategy...

30 September 2024

News

K4DD launches 3.5-year service to support FCDO

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Knowledge for Development and Diplomacy (K4DD) programme. K4DD is providing the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) with knowledge, evidence and learning designed to support development and diplomacy programmes and...

30 September 2024

Brief

Key Considerations: Balancing Epidemic Preparedness and Response with Humanitarian Protection in Ugandan Refugee Settlements

SSHAP Briefing

Humanitarian actors in Ugandan refugee settlements face the dual challenge of preparing for and responding to epidemics, while providing essential humanitarian assistance. They must balance their international mandate to protect refugees and uphold human rights with a variety of public health...

27 September 2024

Brief

From Data to Action: How Findings From an Interagency Rapid Qualitative Assessment are Stimulating Action to Support Drought-Affected Communities in Zambia

SSHAP Briefing

The Republic of Zambia is one of several countries in the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESAR) region that has been grappling with multiple concurrent emergencies that have affected the health and safety of the population. In February 2024, a national state of emergency was declared in Zambia due...

27 September 2024

Brief

LGBTQIA+-Inclusive Humanitarian Action in the Philippines

SSHAP Briefing

Humanitarian crises affect diverse populations in complex ways, often exacerbating pre-existing vulnerabilities and inequalities. Among those disproportionately impacted are LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and other SOGIESC – sexual orientations, gender...

27 September 2024

Publication

Family Conflict and Violence, Family Separation and Negligence Towards Children

Bangladesh Action Research Group 13

The Child Labour: Action-Research-Innovation in South and South-Eastern Asia (CLARISSA) programme uses Action Research (AR) to understand the dynamics which drive the worst forms of child labour (WFCL), and to generate participatory innovations which help to shift these underlying dynamics and...

26 September 2024

Publication

Social Norms and Perceptions of Idleness Which Push Children into Work

Bangladesh Action Research Group 11

The Child Labour: Action-Research-Innovation in South and South-Eastern Asia (CLARISSA) programme uses Action Research (AR) to understand the dynamics which drive the worst forms of child labour (WFCL), and to generate participatory innovations which help to shift these underlying dynamics and...

26 September 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).

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