Between the Lines

Institute of Development Studies
  • 5.0 (22)
  • Social Sciences
  • Every two months

This podcast series explores ground-breaking ideas in development for positive social and environmental change. Each month we feature an interview with an expert in international development who will talk about their latest research and ideas. The discussions give an insight on the themes covered, exploring the challenges and discoveries, and why the issues matter for progressive and sustainable development globally. Send your comments and suggestions to betweenthelines@ids.ac.uk Follow IDS on Bluesky. #IDSbetweenthelinesFollow IDS on LinkedIn. This podcast is brought to you by the Institute of Development Studies, produced and edited by Gary Edwards, Senior Marketing Officer. Music credit: Around/Shutterstock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 4 hr ago

    Climate resilience and poverty reduction in Africa

    As climate shocks become more frequent across East and Southern Africa, building resilience is critical to reducing poverty and improving wellbeing. In this episode of the IDS Between the Lines podcast, researchers from the Chronic Poverty Advisory Network discuss new evidence on how households can better cope with climate crises and why integrated support is key to achieving lasting escapes from poverty. Joining the podcast is: Vidya Diwakar, IDS Senior Research Fellow and the Deputy Director of the Chronic Poverty Advisory Network; Brian Mulenga, Executive Director for the Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute; Anderson Gondwe, Research Fellow at the MWAPATA Institute, Malawi and Judith Kahamba, Department of Development and Strategic Studies, Sokoine University of Agriculture. The findings, published in a special issue of the IDS Bulletin: Climate Resilience and Poverty Reduction highlights a growing recognition that climate change and poverty can no longer be treated as separate challenges. The researchers - drawing on evidence from Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and other countries - found that climate shocks such as droughts, floods, heatwaves and crop diseases disproportionately affect poor households, often pushing already vulnerable communities deeper into poverty. The Experts argue that while poverty reduction can strengthen resilience by helping households build assets and improve livelihoods, resilience-building measures are equally important in preventing families from falling into poverty when climate shocks occur. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. 9 Jul

    Who powers innovation systems in Africa?

    African countries must work more closely together at regional and continental levels if they are to overcome barriers to innovation and drive sustainable development, experts have warned. In this episode of the IDS Between the Lines podcast, IDS Senior MEL Specialist Jo Carpenter interviews Emmeline Skinner, Social Development Adviser, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Brando Okolo and Barbara Glover, both from the African Union Development Agency (Nepad). In the podcast, they highlight how fragmented national systems are slowing innovation across the continent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. 17 Jun

    Social protection for food security and nutrition: A business case

    Social protection is seen as a solution to many problems of development, including poverty, food insecurity and access to services. But we also know that social protection has its limitations. So how do we justify getting Governments to invest in social protection programmes rather than investing in infrastructure or job creation or other services like health and education? In this episode of the IDS Between the Lines podcast, IDS Research Fellows, Kate Pruce, Stephen Devereux and IDS Director of Research Nick Nisbett talk about their new report titled: Social Protection for Food Security and Nutrition: a Business Case published by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) and World Food Programme (WFP). The discussants argue that while social protection - especially cash transfers - clearly reduces hunger and food insecurity, it does not automatically improve nutrition, which is more complex and requires coordinated action across sectors. Therefore, they put forward a business case for investing in food security - and nutrition‑sensitive social protection.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. 27 May

    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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. 23 Apr

    Building disability inclusive futures

    Disability is very much part of the human experience, with an estimated 16% of the world’s population experiencing significant disability. Despite this, people with disabilities often remain excluded or underrepresented in development programmes and research. In this new episode of the IDS Between the Lines podcast, researchers - whose articles have been published in the recent IDS Bulletin ‘Building disability inclusive futures’ - shed fresh light on the urgent need for disability‑inclusive development. The episode features journalist and broadcaster Paul Carter who interviews Amba Salelkar, Senior Manager, Programmes and Impact, International Disability Alliance, Dom Haslam, Deputy CEO, Sightsavers and Stephen Thompson, Research Fellow, IDS.  Contributors in this podcast hope the IDS Bulletin will serve as both a record of learning and a call to action. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. 11 Feb

    Power and Just Transitions: Struggles for a Post Coal Future in an Appalachian Valley

    A just transition is the fair and inclusive process of moving to a low-carbon, sustainable economy while ensuring workers, communities, and industries in carbon-intensive sectors aren't left behind. This Between the Lines podcast features a conversation between IDS Fellow Rosie McGee and authors John Gaventa and Gabe Schwartzman about their new book, Power and Just Transitions: Struggles for a Post‑Coal Future in an Appalachian Valley. The book examines how power is transformed during energy transitions, using the Clearfork Valley in Appalachia as an in‑depth case study. The discussion demonstrates that energy transitions are fundamentally political, not merely technical shifts from coal to renewables. They raise deep questions about history, ownership, justice, and community agency. By centring the lived experiences of the Clearfork Valley, the podcast illuminates how power is contested, reshaped, and sometimes reclaimed during moments of profound change—offering lessons for communities, policymakers, and activists around the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. 14 Jan

    What is Development?

    The term ‘development’ has been central to global conversations for decades, but the way it is understood, practised, and questioned has shifted dramatically. We’re launching our new podcast season by unpacking the evolution of development and tackling the question of what it means in today’s context.  In this episode of Between the Lines. IDS External Affairs Officer, Jigyasa Agarwal speaks with Roy Trivedy, former UN Resident Coordinator and UK civil servant; Camille Accolas, ecosystem builder in biodiversity and nature technology; and Emre Yuksek, Senior Advisor at the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency. Their careers span across diplomacy, humanitarian action, policy design, and emerging sustainability sectors.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. 18/12/2025

    Equity in research for development

    Creating equity in research collaboration sounds straightforward - but it often isn't. Whilst everyone can agree that splitting the power, resources and benefits between all partners is the right thing to do, there is often difficulty in translating aspirations for “equitable partnerships” into practical action. This can be due to complex factors such as colonial legacies and structural power imbalances in research ecosystems. How can these challenges be overcome? To find out, IDS Director Peter Taylor speaks to Margarita Gómez from Southern Voice and Kaia Ambrose from IDRC. In this Between the Lines podcast they discuss why equity in research collaboration matters and talk about the challenges in achieving it, and practical steps toward action and accountability. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See All (81)

5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

This podcast series explores ground-breaking ideas in development for positive social and environmental change. Each month we feature an interview with an expert in international development who will talk about their latest research and ideas. The discussions give an insight on the themes covered, exploring the challenges and discoveries, and why the issues matter for progressive and sustainable development globally. Send your comments and suggestions to betweenthelines@ids.ac.uk Follow IDS on Bluesky. #IDSbetweenthelinesFollow IDS on LinkedIn. This podcast is brought to you by the Institute of Development Studies, produced and edited by Gary Edwards, Senior Marketing Officer. Music credit: Around/Shutterstock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Institute of Development Studies
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    81
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Institute of Development Studies
  • Show Website
    Between the Lines

You Might Also Like