Institute of Development Studies

Can the critical minerals boom deliver for resource rich but economically challenged countries, or will the same mistakes of the past be repeated?

IDS researcher Anabel Marín puts forward how countries can act together to turn this mineral boom into a driver of development before the window of opportunity closes 👇
https://ids.pulse.ly/zwbfalxsv6

🎙️IDS Podcast!

In conversation with the Hon. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.

IDS was recently honoured to welcome the Hon. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr Harini Amarasuriya to mark the 60th anniversary of IDS. She shared her journey from her career as an academic and an activist before entering politics and being elected as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka in 2024.

In this special episode of the IDS Between the Lines podcast we present the Prime Ministers speech and her discussion with IDS Director Anuradha Joshi.

We will also hear from two respondents, IDS Alum, Dr. Sepali Kottegoda and current master’s student Renushi Ubeyratna who will comment on what the Prime Minister said.

Listen now: https://ids.pulse.ly/9j6ps4gnlp

We were founded in 1966 - but we're not the first Institute of Development Studies around.

The University of Nairobi Institute of Development Studies is one year older than us and celebrated its 60th birthday last year.

Last month the University of Nairobi hosted an event to celebrate the two milestones and discuss how we can rethink development in the face of growing uncertainty and complexity.

Read more:

The future of development studies? Debates in Nairobi - Institute of Development Studies Last month a series of events were held at the University of Nairobi to celebrate 60 years of IDS together with alumni and other partners. The host was our namesake the Institute for Development Studies at the University of Nairobi, which celebrated its 60th anniversary last year. The joint celebrat...

📢Watch again.

In conversation with the Hon. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.

IDS was honoured to welcome the Hon. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr Harini Amarasuriya to mark the 60th anniversary of IDS.

Watch this recording to hear Dr Harini Amarasuriya share her journey from her career as an academic and an activist before entering politics and being elected as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka in 2024.

Chaired by the IDS Director Anuradha Joshi.

Watch now: https://ids.pulse.ly/ayjneiy6xx

10% early bird discount!

Apply by May 31, 2026.

Learn how to use participatory action research to create more equitable partnerships and drive meaningful social change.

This five-day, in-person course will equip you with the practical and conceptual tools to design and carry out PAR in your own organisation, project or research. You’ll explore participatory methods in practice, learn how to use them rigorously, and develop your own PAR plan.

Delivered by IDS researchers with extensive global experience in participatory research.

📅 September 14 to 18, 2026
📍IDS, Brighton, UK

Apply now: https://bit.pulse.ly/zoqqy7vtev

As Ebola outbreaks continue to affect communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, timely, trusted and locally grounded information is critical to strengthening response efforts.

Existing resources from the Social Science in Humanitarian Action Platform (SSHAP) are supporting humanitarian and public health actors with social and behavioural insights to inform community engagement, risk communication and response strategies.

The SSHAP collection is designed for responders, policymakers, analysts, and practitioners who need practical, context-sensitive evidence fast.👇

SSHAP resources support response to Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda - Institute of Development Studies The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined that the current Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), underscoring the need for rapid, coordinated action and s...

The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) welcomed the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr Harini Amarasuriya, yesterday to celebrate the institute’s 60th anniversary.

Dr Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka said:
“I’m really honoured to be here to kickstart the IDS celebration of 60 years. The links between IDS and Sri Lanka are long and enduring, starting in 1971.

“We have many activists and researchers from IDS who have been working closely with us in the government. Congratulations to IDS on completing 60 years, and I really hope that this very fruitful collaboration between IDS and Sri Lanka continues to flourish.”

IDS welcomes Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to mark 60th anniversary - Institute of Development Studies The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) welcomed the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr Harini Amarasuriya, yesterday to celebrate the institute’s 60th anniversary.

📢IDS Event!

In conversation with the Hon. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.

IDS is honoured to welcome the Hon. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr Harini Amarasuriya to mark the 60th anniversary of IDS.

Join this event to hear Dr Harini Amarasuriya share her journey from her career as an academic and an activist before entering politics and being elected as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka in 2024.

Chaired by: Professor Anuradha Joshi, Director, IDS.

📅Tuesday 19 May
🕐11:00 to 12:15 (UK time)
🏢IDS Convening Space and online on Zoom

Sign-up to watch online: https://ids.pulse.ly/n6fwsaziye

The Global Partnerships Conference is saying the right things about prioritising equitable partnerships for development and ‘shifting the power’: about seeing the world as it is, not what the UK government might want it to be.

But giving away power is not easy. Can the government see this challenge through?

Read the recommendations from IDS Director Anuradha Joshi to those who are attending the conferences 👇

Shaping the future of development cooperation for the better - Institute of Development Studies tomorrow we will have the Global Partnerships Conference co-hosted by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).