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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Opinion

Food systems are broken. Could treating land as commons help?

Widespread separation from the land combined with deep inequalities may give rise to novel forms of land governance, but with contradictions and contestations. From India to Wales, Kenya to Mexico, farmers have been fiercely protesting challenges to their livelihoods in recent years....

18 July 2024

Impact Story

From IDS to founding an award-winning social enterprise

Mina Chiang studied for an MA in Development Studies in 2017, with a scholarship from Rotary International in her home country, Taiwan. She has since founded the Humanity Research Consultancy (HRC), an award-winning social enterprise that works to end modern slavery and human trafficking. In...

16 July 2024

Past Event

Roundtable: The UN Framework Tax Convention

Following last year’s historic vote supporting the establishment of a new UN Framework Tax Convention, a UN Ad Hoc Group has now been convened and a zero draft terms of reference (TOR) for a future UN Framework Tax Convention has been published. An amended version of the TOR is set to be...

12 July 2024

News

Partnerships bring fresh thinking to sustainability challenges in Ghana 

IDS has been working with partners in Ghana in recent years as part of two initiatives: firstly, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Sussex and the University of Ghana (UG), and secondly the IDS Ghana Development Hub, a networking and engagement platform where...

11 July 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).