Inequalities and Poverty

IDS works with global partners to generate new knowledge and evidence to identify the underlying causes of inequalities and poverty in all their dimensions and the progressive policies and practices that can help bring about transformative change.

Eradicating extreme poverty remains one of the world’s most pressing challenges, and addressing it requires the rising economic, social and political inequalities that harm people in rich and poor countries alike to be tackled.

IDS has also played a prominent part in promoting an approach that puts power at the heart of development analysis and contributed to strengthening understanding of the relationship between power, gender, sexual rights and poverty.

We continue to provide new analysis on inequalities and poverty trends, particularly in relation to the expansion of digital technologies and their impact on the lives of the poorest and most marginalised, and the growth of global cities and what this means for both urban and rural livelihoods, social relations and sustainability. Moreover, we work with governments, civil society, businesses and many others to help ensure this analysis shapes policies and programmes such as social protection and cash transfers to reduce poverty and vulnerability and strengthen livelihoods including agriculture.

People

Deepta Chopra

Professorial Research Fellow

Keetie Roelen

IDS Honorary Associate

Jerker Edström

Research Fellow

Melissa Leach

Emeritus Fellow

John Gaventa

Research Fellow and Director, Action for Empowerment and Accountability (A4EA) programme

Danny Burns

Professorial Research Fellow

Sohela Nazneen

Research Fellow

Patricia Justino

Professorial Fellow

Programmes and centres

Projects

Recent work

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Showing 73–84 of 14894 results

Book

Navigating Uncertainty: Radical Rethinking for a Turbulent World

Uncertainties are everywhere. Whether it’s climate change, financial volatility, pandemic outbreaks or new technologies, we don’t know what the future will hold. For many contemporary challenges, navigating uncertainty – where we cannot predict what may happen – is essential and, as the...

1 August 2024

Opinion

A new era for social protection?

Despite social protection’s significant advances in recent years, its potential to contribute to the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has not been fully exploited. This can be seen by considering three empirical facts discussed here first, and followed by analysis of how...

Juan Gonzalo Jaramillo Mejia, UN World Food Programme

1 August 2024

News

Podcast: What are the benefits of long-term research funding

Funding from development agencies for research projects is integral for trying to reduce global poverty, but often short-term funding produces short-term results which are hard to track in the terms of a positive impact. But what are the benefits of long-term funding of a long...

31 July 2024

Impact Story

Wellbeing and sustainability on the menu at IDS Bar and Kitchen

Demonstrating institutional commitment to community and staff wellbeing, the IDS Bar and Kitchen hosted several ‘lunch and learn’ events in the past year, as well as cultural celebrations such as Diwali, a Christmas Market, Mexican Day of the Dead party and a Burns Night. These are...

30 July 2024

Working Paper

Sustaining Yemeni Capacities for Social Assistance: Lessons From a Decade of War

BASIC Research Working Paper 24

Yemen has sometimes been held up as an impressive example of how existing social protection systems and capacities can be maintained and supported even during a prolonged war. While providing support to meet immediate life-saving needs is the humanitarian priority in Yemen, aid organisations...

25 July 2024

Brief

How Can Aid Actors Support Yemeni Capacities for Social Assistance?

BASIC Research Policy Briefing 2

Much of Yemen’s population needs basic assistance to avoid famine. As well as providing food and cash-based support during a decade of war, international aid actors have sustained and strengthened the capacities of local organisations involved. Yet these efforts have overlooked some capacities...

Paul Harvey & 2 others

25 July 2024

News

Congratulations to the Summer 2024 graduates!

The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) celebrated its Summer 2024 graduation on Wednesday 24 July, recognising the achievements of 36 students who completed their Master's or PhD programmes. This significant milestone reflects their dedication, perseverance, and academic excellence. Sincere...

25 July 2024

News

New research to help build a resilient world 

The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) is part of a new research initiative that will further understanding of a region spanning Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central, East & Pacific Asia, led by the University of Glasgow’s Central and East European Studies (CEES).   IDS is a...

25 July 2024

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).