University of Nairobi
Institute for Development Studies (IDS), University of Nairobi, is the oldest out of 20 such institutes in the world. It is the premier multi-disciplinary and a multi-purpose development research institute in the Eastern and Southern Africa region.
Our teaching and research focus is on development studies at the Masters and PhD Levels. The IDS MA in Development Studies covers broad issues of development theory, research and practice.
The Institute has been home to several Nobel Laureates and world-renowned scholars. These include James Tobin, winner of Nobel Prize in Economics (1981); Joseph Stiglitz, Winner of Nobel Prize in Economics (2000); Michael Todaro, the development economist who authored the Todaro Migration Model; James Coleman, a world-renowned sociologist; Bethwell Ogot, a world renowed historian and co-founder of IDS; and Charles Okidi, the first African recipient of the Elizabeth Haub Prize in Environmental law (1984), the highest Global award in environmental law. Many other international scholars started and built their academic careers at the IDS.
Prof. Joseph E. Stiglitz
Winner of Nobel Prize in Economics (2000). He was a Senior Research Fellow, Social Science Division, Institute for Development Studies, University College, Nairobi (under Rockefeller Foundation Grant), 1969-1971.
Prof. Bethwell Ogot
A world-renowned historian and co-founder of IDS. An author, historian, and scholar, Prof.Ogot is one of Africa's pre-eminent scholars. He specialises in African history, research methods, and theory.
