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

Women preventing inter-religious conflict in Pakistan

How do poor Hindu and Christian women belonging to lower-ranked caste groups prevent local disputes turning into inter-religious violent conflict that perpetually plague Pakistani Punjab, like the fires and violence in Jaranwala? After all, these are women who supposedly lack agency as they...

22 August 2023

Opinion

Whose realities count as targets of religious otherisation?

Participatory methodology is key to make visible the invisible survivors and victims of violence based on religion or belief. This week on the 22 August, the UN commemorates the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief. While individuals experience violence for all kinds of...

21 August 2023

Opinion

‘Ceylon Tea’, no sugar please

During the beginning of May 2023, I saw flyers for and joyful posts about ‘coronation tea’, with photos of the steaming hot drink alongside snacks and sweets. It was all very British, probably seemed like good fun to those people. To me, however, tea is closely intertwined with the story of...

Amalini De Sayrah, current IDS student

17 August 2023

Opinion

Durdiner (hard times) Diaries: Updates from the ground

In our Durdiner Diaries project (in Bangla, Hard times diaries), we have been tracking ‘new poor’ households in Bangladesh, studying their experiences of life before, during and after Covid. These are households that were not poor before Covid, but the impact of the pandemic made them...

17 August 2023

Opinion

Depoliticising politics

Lebanon’s political economy has long been characterised by the dominance of localist forms of governance, typified in the political familism and patrimonialisation of local leaders within communities in a political cultural of za’amatiyya (idolised leadership). In this blog, IDS student...

Marwan Issa, , current IDS student

16 August 2023

News

Domestic workers in India are demanding justice

Domestic workers in Delhi NCR are demanding that they receive fair and dignified treatment, and the recognition of their rights. As part of this, they are including appropriate wages, a day’s leave in a week, fixed hours of work in a day and the assurance of provident fund, pension, and...

16 August 2023

News

Essential development books and podcasts for the summer

For students about to start their postgraduate degree in international development or anyone with an interest in development, IDS staff and students have put together an essential reading and listening list. These books and podcasts cover a whole range of themes within development studies;...

15 August 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).