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Our research

We have a different agenda to traditional development studies in the UK and wider afield. Our department focuses mainly on middle-income developing countries and the emerging economies, which are the most dynamic poles of development in the world economy.  

Our research seeks to explore critical perspectives on economic growth, modernisation, and ‘progress’. We aim to do so by exploring context-specific economic, social and political change in these countries rather than applying prescriptive models of development. 

The work of our members and international collaborators focuses on how societies move towards more inclusive modes of economic, social and political development, what can hold this back, and how these challenges can be overcome. 

Our key areas of development

  • Inclusive development: the policies, politics and economics of ensuring the broad population share in the benefits of growth and wealth
  • National development: the policies, politics and economics of promoting and sustaining economic development within a global context. 

Our research expertise

Our research expertise spans political science, sociology, social anthropology, development economics, history, geography and business and management. 

Our research work has received financial support from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Medical Research Council (MRC), Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Wellcome Trust, Leverhulme Trust, British Academy, various United Nations agencies, and other funders. 

We also have strong regional expertise and collaborations in China, India, Latin America and Southeast Asia. 

 

Selected publications

 

More publications

Our research

Research and expertise

Research and expertise

What makes our agenda different to traditional development studies in the UK and wider afield?

Research impact

Research impact

Our research informs policies and practices for governments and global development organisations.

Research groups

Research groups

Our staff and international collaborators focus their research around our research groups.

Our people

Our people

Find a member of staff at the Department of International Development.

News and events from the Department of International Development