The Center for Global Development and Sustainability

Advancing Scholarship and Applied Research for Catalyzing Development

The Center for Global Development and Sustainability (GDS) is an interdisciplinary and multinational group that advances scholarship and applied research on problems of vulnerability in developing countries as well as in advanced economies. Its core faculty, students, postdocs and affiliated researchers include those from varied disciplines of the natural and social sciences, development studies and the humanities. GDS engages in partnerships in the U.S. and throughout the world that build understanding and expand capacity for sustainable and emancipatory development.

Coming in April 2025:
The Brandeis Global Cyber Security Conference

For Minority-Owned/Led Small/Medium Size Institutions: Businesses, Nonprofits, Startups, Philanthropies and Charities

Theme: Livelihood Security in an Era of Cyber Insecurity and AI

More Information

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The Chief Justice of India delivered an historic lecture at The Sixth International Conference on the Unfinished Legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: Law, Caste, and the Pursuit of Justice. See program and videos.

Our Focus Areas

A woman works in the field just before a monsoon in Purulia, India. © 2013 Madhabendu Hensh/Self, Courtesy of Photoshare

Resilient Communities and Sustainable Livelihoods

Humans are dependent upon the natural environment and ecosystems for their livelihoods and well-being. The dependence is more pronounced for the poor, especially in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, home to the majority of the world's poorest people. Projections suggest that shifts in international dynamics including the recent global pandemic, economic crises within national and regional economies, and ongoing climatic variability will have a substantial impact on the scope of sustaining livelihoods and reducing poverty.

Our Bluestone Endowment research awards provide opportunities for graduate students to work with Heller faculty on resilience and sustainability research and for undergraduate students to participate in the Mississippi Delta Scholars Program.

New Projects

In northern Ghana, GDS has partnered with RAINS, the Regional Advisory Information and Network Systems, to improve community livelihood and resilience through a new Capacity Development Workshop Series that strengthen planning skills including risks associated with field-based development projects, and the design of measurable mitigation strategies. The CDW Series will soon expand formal partnerships with other NGOs in Africa and Asia.

In Sri Lanka, GDS is working with Sarvodaya, the nation’s leading NGO, on “Re-imagining Sri Lanka’s Social Protection Mechanisms.” The country in the recent past had set benchmarks in the region for its impressive gains in health and social indices. However, Sri Lanka is currently experiencing a downward spiral severely affecting multiple dimensions of social protection and welfare.

UPDATE: In the Colombian Caribbean, GDS is working with the Raizal people of the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, San Andres Archipelago to build capacity to examine issues that hinder their resilience and livelihoods. The project “Forgotten Voices: Building Resilient and Sustainable Communities” prompted the United Nations to express “Grave Concern” over the ongoing humanitarian crisis of the Raizal People.

Sitangkay Municipality is an undeveloped landless town in the province of Tawitawi, Philippines. © 2007 Requel Legaspino, Courtesy of Photoshare

Program on Social Exclusion

The Program on Social Exclusion advances research and scholarship on the barriers that still block large groups from meaningful participation in economic growth in both developing and advanced economies. The Program examines societal influences that aid or constrain inclusive policies including attitudes toward race, ethnicity, caste and tribal identity, gender, sexual orientation and religious tradition, and promotes global dialogue to promote inclusion.

Our Bluestone Endowment research awards provide opportunities for graduate students to work with Heller faculty on resilience and sustainability research and for undergraduate students to participate in the Mississippi Delta Scholars Program.

GDS Activities

Blue illustration of heads for J-CASTE journal

CASTE: A Global Journal on Social Exclusion

CASTE: A Global Journal on Social Exclusion is an open access peer-reviewed academic journal published in collaboration with the Brandeis Library. J-Caste advances scholarship across disciplines into caste systems in South Asia and beyond and considers the marginalization and inter-generational oppression of religious, racial, and cultural minorities throughout the world. Our Editorial Advisory Board consists of thirty leading scholars globally.

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2023 Bluestone Rising Scholar Competition

The Bluestone Rising Scholar Prize was created through the generosity of the late Seymour Bluestone, MD to advance social justice research. The award recognizes individuals who show great promise to make outstanding scholarly contributions to the study of caste. The winners of the 2023 award plus the 2021 award winners were feted at an award ceremony during the Sixth International Conference on the Unfinished Legacy of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. See video of the award ceremony.

The Chief Justice of India delivered an historic lecture at The Sixth International Conference on the Unfinished Legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: Law, Caste, and the Pursuit of Justice

CASTE: A Global Journal on Social Exclusion welcomed the the Hon’ble Dr Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, The Chief Justice of India, who delivered a scholarly and farsighted lecture on “Reformation Beyond Representation: The Social Life of the Constitution in Remedying Historical Wrongs.” The lecture and commentaries by leading scholars will be published in February 2024 in as a Special Issue of our journal. Register for an announcement of its release.

GDS interviews and coverage by local, national, and international media outlets