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 397–408 of 14836 results

Opinion

Contextualising Gaza: Colonial violence and Occupation

“We are at war”, stated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a recorded statement early on Saturday morning, and “we will win it”. While the unprecedented events of 7 October - constituting ‘the worst breach of Israel’s defences in 50 years’ - precipitated a declaration of...

Chloe Skinner
Chloe Skinner & 2 others

13 October 2023

Journal Article

Breastfeeding and Infant Care as ‘Sexed’ Care Work: Reconsideration of the Three Rs to Enable Women’s Rights, Economic Empowerment, Nutrition and Health

Women’s lifelong health and nutrition status is intricately related to their reproductive history, including the number and spacing of their pregnancies and births, and for how long and how intensively they breastfeed their children. In turn, women’s reproductive biology is closely linked...

13 October 2023

News

Renowned lawyer and leading feminist to deliver IDS Annual Lecture

The leading international lawyer, human rights advocate and voice for gender equality, Karuna Nundy, is announced today as the guest speaker for this year’s IDS Annual Lecture, on Tuesday 14 November. Listed by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world...

12 October 2023

Opinion

Embrapa at 50 should be a celebration of its fringe heroines

This year the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) commemorates its 50th anniversary. Embrapa is well know for driving the Brazilian Green Revolution, centred on soybean and the power of science to conquer nature and push through agriculture modernization. This celebration...

11 October 2023

Past Event

WASH and Climate Justice in South Asia

Access to water and decent sanitation service is a human right. However, its realisation has always been fraught with challenges which are likely to be magnified as structural injustices intersect with the impacts of the climate crisis. We see this, for instance, with extreme weather events...

10 October 2023

Opinion

Small-scale agricultural mechanisation is taking off in Zimbabwe

A couple of weeks ago, the FAO hosted a massive gathering on ‘Sustainable agricultural mechanisation’, with the tag line efficiency, inclusivity, resilience. There were about 8000 delegates at the hybrid event and the FAO gave it a high profile. Agricultural mechanisation is back after a...

9 October 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).