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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News

New IDS podcast examines extraction of care in development

The new episode of the IDS Between the Lines podcast examines how the 'giving' industry of development can be an extractive industry as well, through the use of domestic workers and the lack of rights that these workers often have. The podcast features an interview with Dinah Hannaford,...

6 October 2023

Opinion

Rethinking research uptake in the East African region

Covid-19 has accelerated learning on bridging research and policy. In this guest blog the African Research & Impact Network (ARIN) share their East Africa Region Knowledge Translation Framework that seeks to enhance research use in emergencies and beyond. These issues around research use in the...

Leah Aoko, Research Associate, Africa Research and Impact Network & 3 others

6 October 2023

News

Notable speakers announced for the new Sussex Development Lecture series 

Speakers at the forefront of new ideas for development have been confirmed for this Autumn term’s Sussex Development Lectures, run in partnership between IDS and the University of Sussex, who together are ranked no.1 in the world for development studies. The lectures will cover topics...

3 October 2023

Past Event

Foreign Aid and its unintended consequences: seeking a radical reboot

A conversation with Prof Dirk-Jan Koch on his new book Foreign Aid and its Unintended Consequences. Watch now https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJW_h2cktNs This seminar will take the form of a public conversation with Dirk-Jan Koch about his new book Foreign Aid and its Unintended...

2 October 2023

Brief

Effective Governance Responses to Crises: Lessons from the Covid-19 Pandemic

Research for Policy and Practice Report

Drawing on research from the Covid-19 Responses for Equity (CORE) initiative, this summary highlights key learning from the Covid-19 pandemic on effective decision-making during crises.

27 September 2023

News

African nations spending $1bn a year on harmful surveillance

Governments in Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco, Malawi, and Zambia are collectively spending at least $1bn a year on digital surveillance technology contracts with companies in the US, UK, China, EU and Israel, new research reveals today. The research, published by the Institute of Development...

27 September 2023

Publication

Tax Treaty Shopping and Developing Countries

ICTD Working Paper 173

Analysis of the international network of double tax treaties reveals a large potential for tax avoidance. Developing countries are, on average, not more likely to suffer from tax revenue losses than other countries. Yet, this average masks the fact that several countries, such as Bangladesh,...

Maarten van ’t Riet
Arjan Lejour

22 September 2023

Opinion

Future health systems: right here, right now

In complex and rapidly changing health systems and societies, there are no realistic transferable blueprints to guide countries’ strategies for accelerating progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Instead, governments must work with a range of actors through innovative partnerships...

21 September 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).