Mission
IDEA aims to advance development economics worldwide by fostering scholarly exchange, supporting career development at all stages, and promoting the field's contributions to global development challenges — without regard to nationality, theoretical orientation, or methodological approach.
Why IDEA
Development economics has grown enormously, but the field lacks coordinating infrastructure. Regional associations exist, but there is no global platform. Scholars outside OECD countries face access barriers to conferences, networks, and publishing pipelines. Early-career researchers — especially those in developing countries — have limited institutional support.
IDEA exists to close these gaps: a pluralistic forum welcoming economists from all parts of the globe and all intellectual traditions.
What We Do
- Scholarly exchange — Open-access working paper series, conference coordination, virtual seminars
- Career development — Mentoring networks, paper workshopping, pipeline support from undergrad to senior faculty
- Research infrastructure (in development) — member directory, data repositories, journal collaboration
- Community building — Connecting development economists across six continents for collaboration and mutual support
History
- Jul 2025 — Founding proposal circulated
- Oct 2025 — First organizing meetings held
- Jan 2026 — Bylaws adopted, elections planned
- Apr 2026 — First elected Board of Directors seated
- Jun 2026 — Public launch and community registration