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Between the Lines: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Institute of Development Studies
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.
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- 3 weeks ago45 min
The human cost of USAID cuts in Uganda
The sudden collapse of USAID in 2025 sent shockwaves through Uganda’s HIV response and the people hardest hit are those the system was already failing.When Elon Musk bragged on social media that USAID had been put through the woodchipper,” the consequences for millions of people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa were immediate - and potentially irreversible.That is the warning from researchers and community advocates speaking on the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) Between the Lines podcast. With an estimated loss in funding of over US$300 million. While a new US$2.3 billion five-year health cooperation agreement was signed in December 2025, the abrupt reductions have severely impacted health services.In the new podcast episode released today, Chris Stevenson, International Editor at the Independent, Megan Schmidt-Sane, Research Fellow at IDS, and Kyomya Macklean, Executive Director of the Alliance of Women Advocating for Change (AWAC) in Uganda examine what the Impacts have been on community-based HIV services and vulnerable communities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Aug 17, 202653 min
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.
- Jul 9, 202644 min
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.
- Jun 17, 202635 min
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.
- May 27, 202653 min
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.
- Apr 23, 202651 min
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.
- Feb 11, 202641 min
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.
- Jan 14, 202645 min
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.
About Between the Lines
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.
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