Despite important strides in the fight against poverty over the past two decades, child poverty remains widespread and persistent, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. From 23-25 October, policymakers, researchers and NGOs will come together to identify solutions for fighting child poverty and inequality in Africa at the Putting Children First conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
News and Views
Posted: 20th October

Posted: 19th October

About 20 years ago I had the opportunity to go to war-ravaged Sierra Leone to study the demobilisation and reintegration process of ex-child soldiers.
Posted: 17th October

ESRC is offering a one-day media training course for ESRC-funded researchers to develop skills and increase confidence to engage with the media.
Posted: 17th October

Applications are open for the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)'s Celebrating Impact Prize. This prize now in its sixth year, is an annual opportunity to recognise and reward ESRC-funded researchers and ESRC associates. It celebrates outstanding ESRC research and success in interdisciplinary, collaborative working, partnerships, engagement and knowledge exchange activities that have led to significant impact.
Posted: 17th October

Talking with unemployed young people in Africa about their efforts to find work is often dispiriting; sometimes it is heart-rending. This is especially true of South Africa, where the apartheid legacy continues to compound youth frustrations. A quest for good (or any) employment features strongly in so many young peoples’ stories. But is the ‘mobile phone’ turning this quest around?
Posted: 12th October

"If marriage is not universally similar, why should we seek to regulate it in a universal way?" This is a question that Nicola Ansell, researcher for the ESRC-DFID enabled Averting 'New Variant Famine' in Southern Africa project, addressed at the Putting Children First conference which took place in Ethiopia from 23-25 October 2017.
Posted: 21st September

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) submission in 2021 may depress and delight development wonks in equal measure. Read a list of things to like and be alarmed about the REF from James Georgalakis, Director of the Impact Initiative.
Posted: 20th September

Highlights from the Impact Initiative led workshop at the 2017 UKFIET conference which gave education researchers expert insight into working with journalists and the media.
Posted: 19th September

DFID-ESRC Raising Learning Outcomes grant holders Nic Spaull and Nompumelelo Mohohlwane give their tips on how to successfully engage the media and provide some reflections on the Impact Initiative led media workshop at the UKFIET 2017 conference.
Posted: 11th August
Reflections from two development professionals, on what good and credible evidence is and what its value is in international development.