This research group at the University of Bath is dedicated to the study of poverty, inequality and the quality of life in developing countries. The purpose of its current research programme is to develop a coherent conceptual and methodological framework for understanding the social and cultural construction of well-being in specific developing societies. The conceptual framework and methodology is being developed and tested in detailed studies with collaborating research organisations in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Peru and Thailand.

Main Themes and Areas of Research

a. To explore the relationships between objective states of well-being and subjectively reported quality of life.
b. To recognise the ways in which existing policy regimes affect the quantity and quality resources people deploy in struggling to generate well-being.
c. To consider the ways in which the inequality of resources affects well being and a desired quality of life.