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.
Livestock, climate change and land reform in southern Africa
16 February 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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This paper examines the potential for a socio ecological just transition in Sussex, UK, focusing on how rewilding, nature recovery, and sustainable food and farming practices intersect within an evolving policy and ecological landscape. Drawing…
February 2026
Two open access articles have just come out that take the theme of ‘uncertainty’ and explore how it encourages some fundamental rethinking. First, ‘development’ as conventionally understood and, second, ‘critical agrarian studies’. They are published…
February 2026
This blog is a follow-up to Sparks: Igniting new ideas, an IDS event on 28 January to present new ideas on addressing key social and environmental challenges. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a rapidly growing global…
February 2026
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a phenomenon in which microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, become resistant to antimicrobial agents, thereby reducing the efficacy of existing therapies. The spread of resistance increases the risk of severe…
January 2026