Anthropology, Development and International Studies research

Find out about our anthropology, development and international studies research.

Research in our schools
School of Global Studies

Explore all research in the School of Global Studies.

Global Studies research activities are organised around the following departments and centres:
Research programmes and centres

Research impact

How research about girls by girls can help reduce gender inequalities

Dr Lyndsay McLean’s innovative research on women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo involved engaging – and empowering – adolescent and young women researchers.

Find out more

What’s behind our continued Development Studies success?

We are proud to be ranked number one in the world for Development Studies for the sixth year running (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022).

To be ranked number one is a significant achievement. It showcases the success of our world-class international research, as well as the courses delivered by our Schools and our partner, the Institute of Development Studies (IDS).

We embrace our pioneering spirit to tackle the new and emerging challenges facing us all. The University of Sussex Business School is home to experts in world-changing development areas, such as development economics (Department of Economics), sustainable and low-carbon energy (Sussex Energy Group), the global sustainability goals (Sussex Sustainability Research Programme), and science, technology and innovation (Science Policy Research Unit).

In the School of Global studies, our staff and research students work collaboratively with policymakers, industry, and practitioners in the UK and abroad to bring in research that makes a difference to the world. We inspire them to look for innovative and transformative solutions to emerging global issues across disciplinary boundaries.

Our impact is diverse and encompasses a broad range of themes such as reproductive health, genocide prevention, drought, poverty and HIV drug resistance, and drought forecasting.

Our areas of expertise include:

gender, sexuality and conflict
markets, labour and finance
environment, resources and mobilization
human rights and welfare
migration and mobility
new engagement with global development.

The impact of this can be shown in our ability to contribute to real-life solutions to challenges in the development sector. These include:

new approaches to science, technology and innovation being adopted by the UN
developing a collaborative approach to transforming waste management policies in Indian cities
collaborating with partners and other world-leading universities
making a difference in local areas affected by climate change.

This year we have continued to adapt and respond to, not only the continuing pandemic, but also the wider challenges confronting all who seek a fairer, safer, more sustainable and inclusive world.” elizabeth harrison
Head of School of Global Studies

Podcast: James Fairhead on improving the response to epidemics

Professor James Fairhead talks about how understanding human behaviour and cultural motivation is an essential part of mitigating the spread of any disease.

Find out more about Professor Fairhead's work on improving the international response to epidemics through the power of anthropology.