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

Filter results by

Showing 289–300 of 14831 results

Opinion

An introduction to IDS

Our session at the Virtual Postgraduate Open Day held by our partner the University of Sussex is a really helpful introduction to all things IDS. Research Fellow and co-convenor on our MA Development Studies Stephen Thompson gives an overview of IDS and our programme of study. He was joined...

15 January 2024

Student Opinion

Hear from our students

We asked some of our recent graduates to share their experiences of studying at IDS, this is what they told us. We would like to thank Alexander Houlis, Jose Morales, Shrutija Saxena, Vaishnavi Sayal, Haruke Ume for their contributions to this video. If you are considering studying at...

15 January 2024

News

Billions go to the ballot box in record year for elections

2024 is a unique year for democracy as billions of people will go to the polls in over 50 countries across the world. Elections are due to be held in countries including Pakistan, India, Taiwan, South Africa, Mozambique, Rwanda, Mexico, the United States, and the UK. The election in India alone...

11 January 2024

Opinion

Pastoralists responding to shocks: rethinking resilience

This is the seventh 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 resilience in pastoral systems. Variability in environmental, climate, market, political, and other conditions affects all pastoralists....

10 January 2024

Opinion

Young Africans could disrupt authoritarian states but they don’t

Africa has the world’s largest youth population. By 2030, 75% of the African population will be under the age of 35. The number of young Africans aged 15-24 is projected to reach 500 million in 2080. While population dynamics vary across the continent, most sub-Saharan countries...

Lovise Aalen, Chr. Michelsen Institute

9 January 2024

Opinion

Flexible, hybrid land use and tenure in pastoral areas

This is the fifth in a series of blog posts that bring together PASTRES work from 2018-2023 around a number of themes. In this post, we explore the theme of land and resources. A core theme of PASTRES work has been exploring what forms of land use and tenure make sense given highly variable...

22 December 2023

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).