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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Showing 505–516 of 14836 results

Report

Adapting Menstrual Health Interventions for People with Intellectual Disabilities in Emergencies

Frontiers of Sanitation 22

The Bishesta campaign – a menstrual health intervention for people with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers in Nepal, was developed to help improve menstrual health for this population in non-humanitarian settings. The campaign was developed by the London School of Hygiene &...

31 July 2023

Impact Story

Collaborating and knowledge sharing through our International Initiatives

The IDS International Initiatives are spaces for researchers, governments and civil society from diverse locations to share new perspectives on tackling global challenges. Below is a snapshot of some of the activity that has taken place over the last twelve months. Brazil The IDS Brazil...

28 July 2023

Brief

Crisis in Sudan: Briefing Note on Displacement from Sudan to South Sudan

SSHAP Briefing

The experiences of those fleeing from Sudan to South Sudan due to the current conflict are shaped by the complex socio-political dynamics within and between the two countries. This briefing focuses on the historical and socio-political dynamics that need to be taken into consideration by...

Naomi Pendle & 5 others

28 July 2023

Brief

A Participatory Assessment for Climate-Induced WASH Vulnerabilities in Bangladesh

SLH Learning Brief 16

This SLH Learning Brief is intended to provide inspiration to practitioners and WASH experts on how to adapt existing vulnerability assessment tools to integrate climate considerations. A sanitation-focused climate lens was added to existing ward vulnerability assessment tools due to the...

Samiha Nuzhat & 3 others

28 July 2023

News

A new era of digital citizenship in Africa

A new open access book “Digital Citizenship in Africa: Technologies of Agency and Repression” explores African citizens’ use of tech tools to freely participate in social, economic, and political life despite a wider context of growing repression and digital authoritarianism. This is the...

27 July 2023

Book

Digital Citizenship in Africa: Technologies of Agency and Repression

Since the so-called Arab Spring, citizens of African countries have continued to use digital tools in creative ways to ensure that marginalised voices are heard, and to demand for the rights they are entitled to in law: to freely associate, to form opinions, and to express them online without...

27 July 2023

Working Paper

Shock-Responsive Social Protection in the Sahel: Niger, Mauritania, and Senegal

Working Paper

In the face of shocks that are recurrent, predictable, interrelated, and multi-annual, governments and the international community are increasingly looking to the potential of shock-responsive and adaptive social protection to address multidimensional risk in a sustainable and integrated manner....

26 July 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).