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

Complicating narratives of changing livelihoods and shared lands in Southern Kenya

Narratives about Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya often frame it as an “ecological island” in the centre of the wider Amboseli landscape that is threatened by fragmentation. This semi-arid landscape is well known as home to an abundance of mammalian and avian biodiversity, thanks to...

Ryan Unks, PASTRES post-doctoral researcher

12 April 2023

News

New statistics reveal true picture of UK aid spending

The UK Government has released the latest Statistics on International Development, revealing how the UK spent its Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget last year. Today’s statistics follow the review from ICAI, the UK aid watchdog, published last week (29 March) examining UK aid spent...

5 April 2023

News

Making everyone’s voice count – participation at IDS

International development has traditionally been dominated by ‘experts’ in the global North telling ‘poor people’ in the global South how their lives could be improved. But the idea that development initiatives can be developed in one place, usually by people with power and privilege,...

5 April 2023

News

Podcast: From Afghanistan to studying development studies

In this special episode of the IDS Between the Lines podcast, Jigyasa Agarwal – a journalist, development practitioner and current master's student at IDS – interviews IDS Alumni Naimat Zafary. In this personal and powerful account, Naimat, talks about his journey to becoming a...

4 April 2023

Student Opinion

The ups and downs of a master’s degree

Amy and Luna joined IDS in 2022 to study MA Governance, Development & Public Policy. In this blog, they have shared their top five pieces of advice when it comes to dealing with the anxiety and pressure of being a master’s student. For most of the new master's students at the University of...

Amy Baquero
Eva Vargas Diaz

4 April 2023

News

Between the Lines – student takeover

We are delighted and honoured to welcome current MA Governance student Jigyasa Agarwal as guest editor of Between the Lines, IDS’s flagship podcast. Between the Lines, now in it’s fifth year, was created as a global platform to discuss latest development/social justice related books....

3 April 2023

News

Tributes to Michael Lipton

With the news of the passing of IDS Emeritus Fellow Michael Lipton, we present a list of tributes from Michael's friends and colleagues from the development community. If you wish to add a tribute please email Gary Edwards. From Arjan de Haan: I worked closely with Michael for three years,...

3 April 2023

News

Michael Lipton 1937 – 2023

It is with sadness that we announce the death of IDS Emeritus Fellow Michael Lipton, who was a friend, and colleague to many at IDS and beyond. Michael had been unwell for some time and also suffered the loss of his wife, the scholar Merle Lipton, at the end of last year. Melissa Leach,...

3 April 2023

Working Paper

Strategic Investment Tax Incentives in Africa: The Case of Tax Holidays in Uganda

ICTD Working Paper; 161

Tax incentives to attract foreign direct investment are common around the world, especially in Africa. Even though many commentators remain sceptical regarding their effectiveness, tax incentives remain popular policy tools for governments in low-income countries seeking to attract...

Solomon Rukundo

3 April 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).