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

Research Fellow

Keetie Roelen

IDS Honorary Associate

Giel Ton

Research Fellow

Programmes and centres

Projects

Recent work

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Showing 277–288 of 14831 results

News

Podcast: Pastoralism, uncertainty and development

Uncertainties of all sorts – environmental, market-based and political – are on the rise, as the world faces climate and environmental change, as well as market volatility and political turmoil. Learning lessons from pastoralists is therefore important for all of us, as well as ensuring that...

23 January 2024

Opinion

The changing remittance economy in Zimbabwe

The flow of remittances to Zimbabwe is huge, with diaspora remittances from outside the country estimated at over US$1 billion per annum, or around 16% of total foreign exchange receipts. This comes from a large network in the diaspora, whether in the region (mostly South Africa) or further...

22 January 2024

News

Uncertainty and resilience: lessons from pastoralism

Since 2018, the PASTRES research programme, co-hosted by IDS, has explored how pastoralists navigate uncertainty in diverse settings around the world. The programme also aimed to draw lessons for other areas of life – including challenges in finance, insurance, disease outbreaks, climate...

22 January 2024

Opinion

Pastoralists and pandemics

This is the tenth in a series of blog posts that bring together PASTRES work from 2018-2023 around a number of themes. In this post, we discuss the theme of pandemics. To read through our archive on this theme, click on the link at the end of this post. The COVID-19 pandemic occurred right in...

19 January 2024

News

Join IDS for Recasting Development in 2024

Development experts will assess the latest trends in development and explore what challenges and opportunities might arise in 2024, at the Institute of Development Studies’ Recasting Development in 2024 event on 30 January. Chaired by IDS Director Melissa Leach, the event will examine...

17 January 2024

Opinion

Pastoralism and agrarian change

This is the ninth in a series of blog posts that bring together PASTRES work from 2018-2023 around a number of themes. In this post, we discuss the theme of agrarian change. To read through our archive on this theme, click on the link at the end of this post. An important theme running through...

16 January 2024

Student Opinion

The global becomes home

Studying for her MA Gender & Development, Faith Chiazor shares with us her experience of moving from Nigeria to the UK to study, and how she has settled into life at IDS. Discovering IDS Family, they say, is home. When I left home, the plan was to go and study. I had been leading the YARN...

Faith Chiazor

15 January 2024

Student Opinion

Careers support at IDS

There are a number of practical ways we can support you, both with developing your career in international development and finding work while you’re studying. The following is a flavour of what is on offer: Finding and applying for a job in the UK whilst studying at IDS All IDS Students...

15 January 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).