IDD’s research activities challenge and contribute to contemporary debates in development studies and policy, particularly related to the relationships between governance, development and poverty reduction.

In addition to the department’s longstanding interests in governance and development, research areas that have become increasingly important in recent years are:

• Conflict, security and governance
• Political development
• Religions and development

We work with colleagues and partner organisations in many countries. In particular, the five-year Religions and Development Research Programme, which is coordinated from IDD, works with local partners in India, Pakistan, Nigeria and Tanzania.

Our research is supported by a range of funders, especially ESRC, the UK Department for International Development, and other multilateral and bilateral aid agencies. It is presented to academic audiences all over the world, contributes to major international debates about development policy, links with our policy advisory work, and informs the education and training we offer. Students from twenty countries are enrolled on our lively postgraduate research programme.

Research projects of current interest

Recent research projects

We are also involved in a number of College-level research clusters:

• Collaborative Spaces: Partnership and co-production
• Governance and Democracy
• Public Service Production: Commissioning, procurement and contracts
• Leadership
• Critical Approaches to Policy Analysis
• Governance, Security and the State