Institute of Development Studies
Encyclopedia
The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) based at the University of Sussex
is a global organisation for research, teaching and communications on international development
.
In all its work, IDS aims to challenge convention and to generate fresh ideas that foster new approaches to development policy and practice.
IDS has five research teams based on the following themes:
IDS also has eight postgraduate programmes and a variety of knowledge services (including id21, Eldis
, the British Library for Development Studies, and BRIDGE).
The Institute's Board of Trustees consists of up to 20 members, the majority of whom are independent. The current Chair of Trustees is Richard Manning.
served as Director and Professorial Fellow from 1967 to 1972. Hans Singer
, who was knighted in 1994 in recognition for his service, was also a Professorial Fellow from 1969 until 2006. John Toye was Director of IDS from 1987-97. Alison Evans, an IDS graduate and IDS Research Fellow from 2005-6 is now Director of the Overseas Development Institute.
University of Sussex
The University of Sussex is an English public research university situated next to the East Sussex village of Falmer, within the city of Brighton and Hove. The University received its Royal Charter in August 1961....
is a global organisation for research, teaching and communications on international development
International development
International development or global development is a concept that lacks a universally accepted definition, but it is most used in a holistic and multi-disciplinary context of human development — the development of greater quality of life for humans...
.
In all its work, IDS aims to challenge convention and to generate fresh ideas that foster new approaches to development policy and practice.
IDS has five research teams based on the following themes:
- Globalisation
- ParticipationParticipation (decision making)Participation in social science refers to different mechanisms for the public to express opinions - and ideally exert influence - regarding political, economic, management or other social decisions. Participatory decision making can take place along any realm of human social activity, including...
, Power, and Social ChangeSocial changeSocial change refers to an alteration in the social order of a society. It may refer to the notion of social progress or sociocultural evolution, the philosophical idea that society moves forward by dialectical or evolutionary means. It may refer to a paradigmatic change in the socio-economic... - Vulnerability and PovertyPovertyPoverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
Reduction - Knowledge, Technology and Society
- Governance
IDS also has eight postgraduate programmes and a variety of knowledge services (including id21, Eldis
ELDIS
Eldis is a database and email service of information sources on international development. It aims to share the best knowledge on development, policy, practice and research.- Background :...
, the British Library for Development Studies, and BRIDGE).
Management and funding
Established in 1966 as an independent research institute, IDS has close links with the University, but is financially and constitutionally independent.The Institute's Board of Trustees consists of up to 20 members, the majority of whom are independent. The current Chair of Trustees is Richard Manning.
Notable academics
In the early years of IDS, Dudley SeersDudley Seers
Dudley Seers was a British economist who specialised in development economics. After his military service with the Royal Navy he taught at Oxford and then worked for various UN institutions...
served as Director and Professorial Fellow from 1967 to 1972. Hans Singer
Hans Singer
Sir Hans Wolfgang Singer was a development economist best known for the Singer-Prebisch thesis, which states that the terms of trade move against producers of primary products. He is one of the primary figures of heterodox economics.-Biography:Singer was born in Elberfeld, Germany in 1910...
, who was knighted in 1994 in recognition for his service, was also a Professorial Fellow from 1969 until 2006. John Toye was Director of IDS from 1987-97. Alison Evans, an IDS graduate and IDS Research Fellow from 2005-6 is now Director of the Overseas Development Institute.