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 summaries from the Handbook of Participatory Research and Inquiry

Published in 2021, The Handbook of Participatory Research and Inquiry traces the roots of the radical advancement of methods and gives space to exploring critical issues which need to be understood in order to do good participatory work such as facilitation, reflective practice power analysis,...

15 December 2022

Past Event

China’s development policy after the 20th National Congress

Professor Xiaoyun Li is currently a Chair Professor at China Agricultural University (CAU) and Honorary Dean of College of International Development and Global Agriculture (CIDGA). He is also Chair of the Network of Southern Think Tanks (NeST), and Chair of the China International Development...

15 December 2022

Opinion

A year in global development: a look back at 2022

The past year has been full of immense development challenges. Whilst the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic continued to exacerbate inequities, conflicts continued in Ethiopia and Yemen and a new war broke out in Ukraine. Extreme weather events caused by climate change caused devastation globally on an...

14 December 2022

News

New international research fund announced by UK Government

The UK’s Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, George Freeman MP, has today announced a new International Science Partnership Fund, with an initial £119 million to support its researchers in collaborating with scientists around the world. The fund, distributed from the...

14 December 2022

News

Development Studies books – must reads of 2022

We have chosen a range of books selected by our Research Fellows as their must-reads of 2022. These books cover a whole range of themes within development studies: from the climate crisis; political settlements; the Green revolution; gender justice and many more. All are thought-provoking,...

14 December 2022

Working Paper

Financing in Fragile and Conflict Contexts: Evidence, Opportunities, and Barriers

BASIC Research Working Paper 15

This paper provides a summary of the main trends and issues regarding both regular and risk financing in FCAS.

14 December 2022

News

IDS Emeritus Fellow receives award in Chile

We are delighted to share the news that noted economist and IDS Emeritus Fellow Professor Stephany Griffith-Jones has been recognised for her contributions to development in Chile. Stephany has been named in the top 100 Senior Leaders of 2022 in the newspaper El Mercurio and the Catholic...

13 December 2022

News

We need to talk about COP15

Scientists say we are living in an age of mass extinction with on average the abundance of native species in most major land-based habitats has fallen by at least 20 per cent in the past 100 years. With COP15, also known as the United Nations Biodiversity Conference, now in full swing, the...

13 December 2022

Working Paper

Getting Work: The Role of Labour Intermediaries for Workers in Nepal and the International ‘Adult Entertainment Sector’

IDS Working Paper 580

This IDS Working Paper explores the role of labour intermediaries, their aspirations, and their perceptions about the benefits and costs of facilitating work in the ‘Adult Entertainment Sector’ (‘AES’) and other employment. Using a victim-centred participatory approach, we interviewed 33...

12 December 2022

News

New IDS Bulletin: Reframing climate and environmental justice

Questions of justice are relevant to all aspects of climate and environmental change, from how and where the impacts are felt the most, the allocation and prioritisation of funding, the type of responses that are considered, to how negative impacts can arise from mitigation, adaptation, or...

12 December 2022

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).