"Somewhere in that room, the ache of missing home softened and was replaced by a quiet gratitude for having created a version of it together, not just among the Bengali community, but with people from the farthest corners of the world. Perhaps that is the true beauty of community. It transcends beliefs, religions, and traditions. It begins with love, and sometimes, that is more than enough."
-Archi Ananya, MA Development Studies, 2025-26
To celebrate Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, Bengali and South Asian students at IDS came together to share music, stories, and traditions from home while creating new memories together in Brighton. From saree draping and face painting to dancing by the sea, the celebration became a reflection on belonging, friendship, and finding community far from home. ❤️
Head over to the IDS website and read the full student blog!
“Either way, you win.” 🏆
IDS student Aya Abou Ghalyoum reflects on taking her social enterprise idea, Careerak, into Startup Sussex — and what stepping outside her comfort zone taught her about courage, confidence and growth.
✨ Thinking about starting something of your own?
✨ Or struggling with self-doubt?
This blog is for you.
👉 Read more: https://ids.pulse.ly/t48zd9nh4o
@careerak.official@aya.abou.ghalyoum@sussexuni
#LifeAtIDS #StartupSussex #Entrepreneurship #DevelopmentStudies
🎙️ A huge thank you to Erry and Windy for hosting such a brilliant conversation on Suara dari Sussex (Voice from Sussex), alongside Dr Linda Waldman.
It was great to hear reflections on life and learning at IDS, student experiences, and conversations that go beyond the rankings.
Thank you as well to everyone who tuned in and listened live 💫
Missed it? Don’t worry- we’re looking forward to sharing the recording soon, so stay tuned 👀
🎙️ Indonesian Time: Suara Dari Sussex
Curious about what it’s really like to study development at IDS?
Tune in on Monday, 27 April (10:30 - 11:30 BST) as Dr Linda Waldman, Director of Teaching & Learning at IDS, joins students Erry and Windy, the hosts of Suara dari Sussex (Voice from Sussex), for a special radio conversation: Beyond the Rankings - Life and Learning at IDS.
Together, they’ll explore student life, learning experiences, and what makes studying at IDS unique- beyond the rankings.
🎧 Listen live on URF Online (link in bio)
Be sure to catch their weekly show on Tuesday at 11 am (BST) for a deep dive into the IDS experience, sharing tips on student life, hidden gems in Brighton, and stories from their international community.
🎙️ Got a question about studying development at IDS?
This is your chance to have it asked live!
Tune in on Monday 27 April (10:30 - 11:30 BST) as Dr Linda Waldman, Director of Teaching & Learning at IDS, joins students Erry and Windy, the hosts of Suara dari Sussex (Voice from Sussex) for a special radio conversation: Beyond the Rankings - Life and Learning at IDS.
💬 Submit your question by Thursday 23 April (link in bio)
🎧 Visit on URF Online on Monday to hear your questions answered live!
Erry and Windy have been running Suara dari Sussex for nearly three months. Be sure to catch their weekly show on Tuesday at 11am (BST) for a dive deep into the Sussex experience, sharing tips on student life, hidden gems in Brighton, and stories from their international community.
#LifeAtIDS #BeyondTheRankings #DevelopmentStudies #IDSsussex #StudentVoices #AskIDS #SuaraDariSussex #URFOnline
Democracy is in crisis. But we can make it more resilient through building better connections with people.
Our new report calls for an urgent need to rethink democracy by centring people, power, and inequality, and puts forward eight building blocks to strengthen democracy and resist democratic decline.
Download ‘Where’s the demos in democracy? Building Democratic Futures and Resisting Autocracy’ now via the link in the bio.
New report from IDS: Where's the demos in democracy?
#Democracy is in crisis: but we can make it more resilient through building better connections with people.
Falling trust in institutions, dissatisfaction with democratic governments, and the rise in authoritarian leaders is driving democratic backsliding.
Our new report identifies how inequality and political exclusion is turning people away from democracy. But, the report argues, a renewed focus on engaging citizens in democratic systems and institutions can help to arrest the decline.
Read the report at
DevSoc x GeoSoc x AnthroSoc are delighted to invite IDS students to the 2026 Global Studies Spring Ball ✨
It promises to be a memorable evening of celebration and music with a Royal Casino theme ♠️♥️♦️♣️
🎟️ Early Bird Tickets: £37
Limited availability - get yours now!
🎟️ Regular Tickets: £40
Tickets are available via the DevSoc page on the Student's Union website, and include a two course meal and welome drink on arrival.
Dress to impress....
What does it mean for pastoralists to 'thrive' - and are more markets the only thing that's needed? @wheelhelms discusses myths about markets, and the failure of British colonial ambitions to industrialise Nigeria's livestock sector, at our recent event on #RangelandMyths
#IYRP2026 #Rangelands #Pastoralism
Preparing for your Chevening interview?
Erry Hakiki, a Chevening Scholar and MA student at IDS, shares what helped him succeed on his first attempt.
Here are 5 things that made a difference for him:
1️⃣ Control your fear – most of the pressure comes from ourselves
2️⃣ Expand your essays – the interview is your chance to go deeper
3️⃣ Memorise your structure – stay focused and clear in your answers
4️⃣ Practise mock interviews – honest feedback helps you improve
5️⃣ Prepare extra examples – be ready for unexpected questions
There’s no single formula - but preparation, clarity and confidence go a long way.
📖 Read the full blog on the IDS website for more insights.
Good luck to everyone preparing for their interviews 🌍
#CheveningScholar #CheveningInterview #ChosenForChevening #Chevening2026 #DevelopmentStudies #InstituteOfDevelopmentStudies #LifeAtIDS
We’re No. 1 in the world 🥇🌎
Sussex, in partnership with @ids_uk , has been ranked 1st in the world for Development Studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 – for the tenth year in a row.
📹 Find out why our students chose to study here.
@sussexuniglobal@topunis
