The Institute for Human Development (IHD) was established in 1998 under the aegis of the Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE) as a non-profit autonomous institution for conducting studies in the areas of labour and employment, poverty, health and nutrition, education, and other aspects of human development. The Institute has an experienced and active faculty committed to the fulfillment of its vision and objectives. Several well-known scholars, both from India and abroad, are visiting faculty members of IHD. In order to achieve its goals, IHD engages in academic and policy research; policy advocacy; teaching and training; academic and policy debates and dissemination; publication of different forms of literature; and networking with other institutions and various stakeholders.
Research Areas
- Livelihood & Social Protection
- Work and Employment
- Marginalised Social Groups: Dalits/Tribals/Minorities
- Gender Issues
- Education & Literacy
- Health and Nutrition
- Poverty, Inequality and Well-being
- Evaluation of Development Policies and Programmes
- Economic and Social Development
- Children and Adolescents
- Development and Policy Reports
- Governance, Institutions and Development
Key Thematic Focus
Activities/Research Priorities
- Research in the areas of labour and employment, poverty, social protection, gender, healthcare, education, social justice, and other aspects of human development;
- Evaluation and formulation of development policies and programmes;
- Organization of seminars, workshops, conferences, consultations, lectures and discussions on issues of academic and policy interest, and contemporary relevance;
- Conduction of courses and training programmes on issues pertaining to human development;
- Networking with other similar institutions and organizations, both in India and abroad, for facilitating greater sharing of information and ideas through joint collaborations and partnerships; and
- Publication of journals, research reports, working papers and monographs on the above issues.
Key Strengths
The Institute has undertaken some 200 research projects, sponsored by both national and international organizations; organized seminars, workshops, conferences and policy dialogues; and implemented training and capacity building activities, including a Ph.D. programme. Furthermore, the Institute participates in a wide array of networks, both in India and abroad, particularly in South Asia. IHD has developed a number of competencies, among which the salient ones are as follows:
- Research into the core dimensions of human development – livelihoods, education and health;
- Primary survey-based research to analyze policy impacts and social and economic change;
- Capacity to mobilize State and non-State actors and engage them in policy debates;
- Ability to provide a critical, independent view on development issues;
- Conversion of research findings into educational and training material;
- Networking at national and international levels;
- High level publications, including two journals: the Indian Journal of Labour Economics and the Indian Journal of Human Development.
