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 421–432 of 14836 results

Opinion

How can we get the SDGs back on track?

The 2030 Agenda, with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), provides a vision of an aspirational, equitable and just future for all, thriving on a safe and resilient planet. Together with other key multilateral agreements, it provides a compass for reorienting development in a...

20 September 2023

Past Event

Covid-19, pandemic preparedness and response in Uganda and beyond

This seminar shares fieldwork conducted in the Pandemic Preparedness Project, presenting findings related to different meanings and practices of preparedness, and contemporary dynamics related to ‘rethinking’ preparedness. We will give a spotlight to fieldwork in Uganda, where the idea...

20 September 2023

News

Institute of Development Studies seeks new Director

Following ten years of inspirational leadership by Melissa Leach, IDS is now advertising for a new Director to lead the organisation after Melissa steps down in April 2024. The new Director will take forward the organisation’s pioneering work, building on our reputation as one of the...

19 September 2023

Publication

Youth-led Preservation of Syriac Orthodox Heritage in Syria

This report explores the Sayfo genocide, also known as the Asyrian genocide, and a youth-led project that brought together the Syriac Orthodox community in Syria to remember and memorialise those who were killed in the genocide. Produced as part of the IDS-led and British Academy funded...

18 September 2023

Brief

Exploring Female-headed Households’ Sanitation Needs, Tasikmalaya

SLH Learning Paper;17

Female-headed households often get left behind in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programming and policy. This Sanitation Learning Hub Learning Paper presents findings and recommendations for action, from the participatory video research project, ‘Sanitation, health and livelihood issues...

18 September 2023

Opinion

The Sustainable Development Goals: A missed opportunity

The SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) are at their mid-point of implementation to 2030. Some are claiming there are reasons to be ‘hopeful’, but I am not. I was back in 2015 when they were launched, as they seemed a real opportunity to address transformations to sustainability across...

18 September 2023

Working Paper

Landscapes of (In)justice: Reflecting on Voices, Spaces, and Alliances for Just Transition

IDS Working Paper 594

Diverse groups of citizens need to be engaged in the design and implementation of global energy transition policies across all scales and sectors for them to succeed and be socially acceptable. But how? And what lessons can we take from emerging practice to guide future action?

Peter Newell & 2 others

18 September 2023

Opinion

Youth in Africa and the future of democracy

Democracy around the world is under threat. Young people are often looked at as ‘the next generation’ who can rescue it, defying authoritarian regimes and forces on national and global levels. But as a highly diverse group, there are some young people that will, and are, supporting and...

15 September 2023

News

Beyond rhetoric, towards action: hope at the halfway point

A week ahead of the UN SDG Summit in New York, an event organised by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) used the mid-point of the Sustainable Development Goals to take stock of global collaboration on development. Entitled Hope at the halfway point: Forging a shared agenda for change,...

14 September 2023

Working Paper

Participation For, With, and By Girls: Evidencing Impact

REJUVENATE Working Paper 2

This paper presents the findings of a review of publicly available, published evidence on the efficacy of development projects that self-identify as ‘girl-led’, both within academic literature and from established organisations working with girls.

Tessa Lewin
Tessa Lewin & 4 others

13 September 2023

News

Aid watchdog criticises UK Government

The Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) has published a report today criticising decisions made by the UK Government over the past four years, which ICAI says has had a negative impact on the effectiveness of the UK’s Official Development Assistant (ODA). It highlights the disruption...

13 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).