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 73–84 of 14676 results

News

UK’s international climate finance commitments at risk

The Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) has published a review of UK aid’s international climate finance commitments today. The aid watchdog warns that as resources are stretched, the UK’s £11.6 billion commitment is at risk of not being met. The rapid review finds that the...

29 February 2024

Past Event

Between the Lines Podcast

Podcast S06 Ep2: African Perspectives on Agroecology

For the continent of Africa, seed’s are integral to life. From deserts, river systems and forests, and for those growing a range of grains and vegetables, seed provides the mainstay for the continent’s 500 million small-scale farmers and is at the heart of  rich and varied cultures. But...

29 February 2024

Opinion

The ethics of using photos in the WASH sector

Sanitation and hygiene issues deal with difficult, hidden, and taboo areas of life, which people often don’t really want to talk about, let alone look at. They can also deal with seemingly mundane issues (for example, going the toilet, washing hands) which people can overlook as...

Ruhil Iyer
Ruhil Iyer & 3 others

27 February 2024

Student Opinion

IDS student wins a national award for her dissertation

Ana Palma Garcia’s dissertation that focused on exploring the experiences of deaf women in Colombia has come first place in the Development Studies Association Masters Dissertation Prize. Ana, who studied MA Power, Participation & Social Change, also won the IDS Best Overall Dissertation...

26 February 2024

News

International Women’s Day at IDS: Defending gender justice

In recent years, there has been a global shift in the fight for women’s rights and gender justice – from the overturning of Roe v Wade, the introduction of the Anti-homosexuality Act 2023 in Uganda, the revocation of transgender rights to self-identification in Pakistan, stricter hijab...

23 February 2024

News

Assessing the financial case for workers’ nutrition 

Globally, one in three people suffer from malnutrition causing negative impacts to their lives and those of their families. Malnutrition also affects businesses and economies worldwide as people’s productivity at workplaces are influenced by their health. As such, companies around the world...

22 February 2024

Working Paper

Effective Social Protection in Conflict: Findings from Sudan

Working Paper

This paper explores the conflict sensitivity of social protection in Sudan in its various forms since the present war started in April 2023, from locally led mutual aid to the social assistance programming of international agencies.

Izzy Birch & 2 others

22 February 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).