Centre for Development, Environment and Policy

With over 30 years experience in research and distance learning education, CeDEP seeks to address some of the greatest challenges of our times.

These challenges include how to satisfy the aspirations of a rapidly growing global population, including eradicating the poverty still experienced by many of these people, whilst at the same time managing the environmental systems and resources on which life and wellbeing depend. They are inter-related in complex ways, with important ethical, political, economic, social and technical dimensions, and at CeDEP we recognise the need for informed professionals with the inter-disciplinary skills to tackle these issues effectively.  

Our academic staff undertake research in the fields of agricultural economics, rural development, environmental economics, poverty reduction, sustainability, climate change and development. They have extensive international experience in research, which is published and shared with decision-makers and opinion-formers worldwide. You can watch a collection of short videos to get an insight into their research interests.

In addition, CeDEP acts as Secretariat for the SOAS Climate Action Group, SOAS membership of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to which SOAS has accredited Observer status.

The distance learning programmes at CeDEP are part of the University of London worldwide programmes, a global community with a unique network of students from more than 150 countries.

The Centre for Development, Environment and Policy brings together staff with strong but diverse specialist skills addressing major global challenges.

We address these challenges from a primarily social science perspective, but are committed to working in interdisciplinary and international teams and groups. We are experienced in, and committed to, working to promote effective and sustainable development, policy and environmental management with support from a wide range of research and international development funding agencies.

Major research activities focus on policies and programmes addressing climate change and development, sustainable and nutritious food systems, environmental management as well as the processes and politics of policy change.

All CeDEP academic team members are actively involved in research, overseeing and/or participating in various projects, collaborating with a range of national and international partners, and publishing extensively. Research is conducted in a wide range of countries in Latin America, Africa, South and East Asia, as well as Europe.

Major research themes

Sustainable and nutritious food systems

CeDEP has a world leading reputation in research at the interface of agriculture, food, nutrition and environmental sustainability. We work with partners from multiple disciplines and institutions across the world, and are involved in several large scale research projects examining how global food systems can contribute to delivering better health and environmental outcomes.

Climate change and development

CeDEP research examines the interface between climate change and development challenges, including both mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to impacts. Our research is particularly interested in policy and planning processes, anticipatory decision-making and urban contexts. 

We take an applied, multi-disciplinary approach, working with international partners, other SOAS departments and the London International Development Centre.

Sustainable development and environmental management

Particularly relating to the atmosphere, air pollution, water resources, and the environmental and developmental impacts of intensive agriculture.

Policy and politics

A major theme that cuts across our research areas is the study of policy and the political processes involved in policymaking.