Governance and Local Development Institute

“We aim to promote human welfare by conducting scientifically rigorous research across the globe. Our research focuses on answering a fundamental question: why are some communities able to provide secure environments, good education, adequate healthcare, and other factors that encourage human development, while others fail to do so? We engage with communities across the world, develop methodological tools, gather data, undertake analyses on major issues affecting societies today, and disseminate findings to academics, relevant policy-makers, and the communities in which we work.”

Opportunities

Latest Publications

Domesticating Politics: How Religiously Conservative Parties Mobilize Women in India

Can traditional gender norms and women’s political activism coexist? In a new GLD Working Paper, Anirvan Chowdhury tackles this question by exploring how religiously conservative parties succeed in mobilizing women while upholding patriarchal norms. Using the case of India, he introduces a theory of norm-compliant mobilization. It reveals how framing political participation as seva—a culturally valued concept of selfless service—enables women to engage politically without challenging their traditional domestic roles.

Mind the Gap: Citizen-Led Efforts to Build Bureaucratic Responsiveness in Rural India

Citizen-driven accountability in rural India is possible—even within resource-strained bureaucracies. This policy brief argues that emotional appeals and strategic mobilization can move officials to listen and act. Video Volunteers' community correspondents exemplify this, documenting local issues and using digital mobilization to drive change. From amplifying empathy to creating top-down pressures, citizen-led efforts can improve service delivery and bureaucratic responsiveness.

Fellow Interview with Blair Welsh

Blair Welsh is a Postdoctoral Associate in the Department of Political Science at NewYork University – Abu Dhabi. His research focuses on the politics of armed violence and development in Africa, utilizing survey and field experiments, spatial econometrics, and causal inference strategies. We discussed his academic journey, the challenges of researching conflict and development, and howhe translates complex data into actionable insights for policymakers.


 

Governance Uncovered

Our monthly podcast invites scholars and professionals worldwide to discuss issues related to governance and local development with host Ellen Lust.

Governance Uncovered is supported by the Swedish Research Council.