We undertake research and policy engagement that shows how systems can be transformed to support people everywhere to lead healthier, well-nourished and more fulfilling lives.
Our work brings new understanding and action on tackling epidemics, zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance. We are helping to address the health and nutrition implications of trends such as rapid urbanisation or the rise of digital technology, as well as looking at the challenges caused by globalised and inequitable food systems and the need for fairer agricultural livelihoods.
Our research fosters transformational learning for more effective and adaptive nutrition and health programmes and policies using innovative, complexity-aware approaches to evaluation.
“Just go to Lidl”: the backlash against public restaurants
20 August 2026
Food Equity Centre
A collaboration of researchers across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America working to challenge the power and politics that make food systems inequitable.
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Social Science in Humanitarian Action Platform (SSHAP)
A global network of social scientists focusing on the social dimensions of emergency responses related to health, conflict, or the environment.
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Sanctuary for Health Justice
The Sanctuary for Health Justice will provide a welcoming environment for health equity scholars who are currently facing existential threats in the United States.
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Zoonotic influenza preparedness: a transdisciplinary One Health approach (ZIP)
Working in Bangladesh, Vietnam and UK, this project seeks to develop new ways of thinking about the risk factors for bird flu (avian influenza), a disease which causes devastating losses for farmers and also has pandemic potential.
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LEAD: Leadership in Enhancing Antimicrobial Discovery
The Leadership in Enhancing Antimicrobial Discovery (LEAD) coalition works to develop leadership and build collaboration to advance science and shape policy for action against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
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Living Off-Grid Food and Infrastructure Collaboration
Research to help improve the lives of the poorest residents of cities in Africa and Asia by focusing on how they are meeting their basic needs and accessing infrastructure, particularly when they are living 'off-grid'.
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Livelihoods for sustainable rural futures
Research to understand dimensions of livelihoods resilience in rural areas, particularly around agricultural food systems.
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MA Food and Development
Gain an advanced understanding of the complex relationship between food and development through this Masters, delivered through a partnership between the University of Sussex and IDS.
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Find out more about our work in health and food systems.
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If you live in the United Kingdom in 2026, you do not have a right to adequate food. You do if you live in India, which joined the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural…
August 2026
Allan Savory’s memoir has recently been published – UnSavory: African Stories of Wildlife, War, and the Birth of Holistic Management. It’s a fascinating read. Full of Rhodesian derring-do but some important reflections on the value of…
August 2026
IDS has become an official member of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, following widespread engagement by IDS researchers to support the aims of the Alliance since its launch at the G20 Summit in…
August 2026
The recent xenophobic violence in South Africa has caused a mass exodus of migrants from the country, including to Zimbabwe. The protests organised by March and March and Operation Dudula, two outfits pushing an anti-immigrant line, have resulted…
August 2026