Institute of Development Studies

The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) delivers world-class research, learning and teaching that transforms the knowledge, action and leadership needed for more equitable and sustainable development globally.

Through equitable and sustainable partnerships, we work with governments, philanthropic foundations, non-governmental organisations, academics and civil society to transform approaches to progressive social, political and economic change in ways that ultimately make a difference to people’s lives.

We have helped foster innovative new partnerships that have generated millions of dollars in additional tax revenues in Africa that can be reinvested in countries’ national development. We have worked to provide solutions to environmental problems that build on local people’s knowledge and practices. We have highlighted the role of local communities in bringing an end to deadly epidemics like the Ebola virus.  We have nurtured hundreds of exceptional development leaders and champions including political leaders, country Ambassadors and government officials, civil society leaders and entrepreneurs.

Our reputation for research and international outlook is second to none and reflected in our performance in the latest QS World University Rankings where we are ranked first in the world for development studies, together with the University of Sussex.


Latest reports

An inclusive lens on aid for trade

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Development Studies provides a framing for an inclusive lens on AfT to enable more inclusive policy and programming. In a rapidly evolving global trade and development landscape, addressing trade-related challenges through aid for trade (AfT) remains highly relevant. The World Trade Organization–Organisation for Economic Co-operation and...

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Labour market effects of India’s termination from the United States’ GSP

This report from UK think tank the Institute of Development Studies investigates the effects of India's termination from the US' GSP. This paper investigates the sudden 2019 termination by the United States Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) of trade with India as a quasi-natural experiment. Given the re-election of Donald Trump and global concerns about...

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What does a good digital welfare state look like?

This report from UK think tank the Institute of Development Studies looks at what a ‘good’ digital welfare state might look like. The introduction of ‘digital-by-default’ welfare and social protection systems in the UK and beyond has delivered efficiencies and cost savings for governments and can be convenient for recipients. But, given the rapid pace...

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Building solidarities: gender justice in a time of backlash

This report from UK think tank the Institute of Development Studies puts forward six guiding principles for building solidarities for gender justice. Significant progress on gender equality has been made in past decades, but in recent years gender and sexual rights are increasingly under threat from a global wave of gender backlash. This is not...

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Taxing mobile money in Africa: risk and reward

This report from UK think tank the Institute of Development Studies looks at the risk and reward of taxing mobile money in Africa. Mobile money is a booming industry in Africa, with potential benefits for economic development and financial inclusion. Facing strong fiscal headwinds, a growing number of African countries have introduced taxes on mobile...

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Risk communication and community engagement for Mpox vaccination in Eastern DRC

This report from UK think tank the Institute of Development Studies looks at risk communication and community engagement for Mpox vaccination in Eastern DRC. This brief presents social and political considerations for the design and implementation of vaccination-related risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) strategies for mpox in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo...

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Accountability and citizen–state relations in Bangladesh: findings from the CLEAR programme

This report from UK think tank the Institute of Development Studies presents the political context of Bangladesh and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the country. This report synthesises findings on accountability and citizen–state relations in Bangladesh from the Covid-19 Learning, Evidence and Research Programme in Bangladesh (CLEAR). To do this, it refers to...

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Key considerations: Alleviating chronic food insecurity in South Sudan

This report from UK think tank the Institute of Development Studies describes the scale of the food insecurity facing populations in South Sudan. The Republic of South Sudan has experienced chronic food insecurity for decades and particularly in the last five years. This chronic food insecurity is a result of a combination of factors, including...

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Covid Collective learning report

This report from UK think tank the Institute of Development Studies provides an overview on the Covid Collective research platform. This report provides an overview on the Covid Collective research platform, how it was operationalised, and the learning which emerged from the three-year programme. The foundation of the Covid Collective’s theory of change was the...

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Social protection experiences of and attitudes towards new urban poor after Covid-19 in Bangladesh

This report from UK think tank the Institute of Development Studies looks at urban residents’ experiences of poverty and the support they received since the Covid-19 pandemic. The Covid-19 pandemic led to a large increase in poverty in Bangladesh, especially in urban areas. Rising food prices and high inflation rates further compounded already high levels...

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Dispositions towards the living wage proposition

This report from UK think tank the Institute of Development Studies reflects on the changes induced by modifications in the Rainforest Alliance certification system. It finds that the socio-technological proposition is highly contested in the sector. Certification holders fear the costs of the wage improvement plans without credible long-term commitments from downstream firms and brands...

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Mapping the supply of surveillance technologies to Africa

This report from UK think tank the Institute of Development Studies documents which companies are supplying which types of surveillance technology to African governments. African governments are spending over 1US$bn per year on digital surveillance technologies which are being used without adequate legal protections in ways that regularly violate citizens’ fundamental human rights. This report...

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Mapping the supply of surveillance technologies to Africa

This report from UK think tank the Institute of Development Studies looks at the supply of surveillance technologies to Africa. African governments are spending over 1US$bn per year on digital surveillance technologies which are being used without adequate legal protections in ways that regularly violate citizens’ fundamental human rights. This report documents which companies, from...

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How to use collaborative art-making for dialogue and communication

This report from UK think tank the Institute of Development Studies looks at collaborative art-making. Artists have often used artworks to express emotions and thus prompt public dialogue about contemporary challenges. At the same time, it has been suggested that collaborative art-making can be used in environmental deliberation processes, where stakeholder groups discuss contentious challenges...

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Pathways to equitable food systems

This report from UK think tank the Institute of Development Studies looks at inequitable global food systems. Globally, our food systems are highly inequitable. In a world with enough food, hunger is becoming normalised for large numbers of people, while diets are worsening and obesity is rising. Racialised minorities are more at risk from obesity...

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