ISDC conducts non-for-profit research, policy advice and capacity development on the following themes and with these methods. We work in nearly all world regions.

By theme:

• We analyse poverty and social exclusion, employment and livelihoods, entrepreneurship and micro-enterprises.
• We investigate gender, intra-household bargaining, and the role of children.
• We study economic growth and alternative measures of well-being, vertical and horizontal inequality.
• We conduct studies on defence economics and public finance of military spending.
• We measure and analyse perceptions of insecurity and worries about terrorism.
• We are experts for fragility and state building, for reconstruction and peace building.
• We define, discuss, measure and analyse violence and conflict, both at the individual level and in aggregate measures.

By method:

• We design household and firm level surveys and collect data in the field.
• We use advanced statistical and econometric methods and programmes.
• We conduct evaluations, including theory-based impact evaluations.

By data source:

• We specialise in individual and household survey data collection and analysis.
• We collect and analyse conflict event data.
• We assemble and study public finance and aggregate macro data.

By region:

• Sub-Saharan Africa
• Central Asia
• Middle East and North Africa
• Europe

By service:

• research design
• data collection
• impact evaluation
• analysis and interpretation
• training
• capacity development
• professional network building
• event hosting