Nicola Davies, The Pharma Letter Journalist Profile

Articles

What children teach us about belonging on World Refugee Day

1 week ago | ids.ac.uk | Nicola Davies

World Refugee Day reminds us of the staggering numbers: according to UNHCR estimates, 49 million of those forcibly displaced were children, which includes roughly 19 million children registered as refugees or asylum seekers. But what if we shifted focus – not just to how many children are refugees, but to how children themselves understand what it means to be one?
Life after IDS: setting up a think tank in Sri Lanka

2 weeks ago | ids.ac.uk | Nicola Davies

Yolani Fernando, MA Governance, Development & Public Policy, Class of 2022-23, is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Arutha, (Arutha on Instagram) a Colombo-based policy think tank focused on economic research and communication with a special interest in public debt and taxation. In this blog post, Yolani talks about her journey to setting up Arutha and shares her advice for those who have similar goals and aspirations. Interviewer: What was your career trajectory before coming to IDS?
Making digital inclusion real: Reflections on digital accessibility in Uzbekistan

1 month ago | ids.ac.uk | Nicola Davies

Every third Thursday in May, the world marks Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) — a moment to reflect on whether digital spaces are truly open to everyone. As Uzbekistan moves forward with its “Digital Uzbekistan – 2030” strategy, the promise of innovation risks excluding many unless digital accessibility becomes a non-negotiable standard. What does “digital accessibility” mean?
Four essential tools (and skills) to use evidence effectively

2 months ago | ids.ac.uk | Nicola Davies

As we navigate a deeply uncertain global environment, in which the rules-based order is being abandoned, the stakes have never been higher for taking an evidence-informed approach to policy and implementation. All those who seek to inform policy and interventions with evidence are under increasing pressure. This includes slashes to aid and threats to academic freedoms forcing us to urgently make the case for the impact of programmes designed to boost economies and promote sustainable development.
Making Spaces Inclusive: What Restroom Signs Reveal

2 months ago | ids.ac.uk | Nicola Davies

I identify as a woman. So, when I read the sign below, I thought: this is wrong. And I was right. Obviously. The irony of this moment made me angry, and suddenly, restroom signs were things I couldn’t un-see. Everywhere I went, they followed me. Despite trying to ignore them, the rage grew and grew, until I channeled it into attention.
Guest Post - No Data? No Acceptance. How IOP Publishing is Strengthening Open Science

2 months ago | scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org | Nicola Davies

Editor’s Note: Today’s post is by Nicola Davies. Nicola is Senior Publisher at IOP Publishing. Open data is essential for transparency, reproducibility, and trust in research — key pillars of open science. While some funders, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the U.S. and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) in the UK, have strengthened their policies to require open data sharing, many researchers are still not making their data publicly available.
Boost engagement with SEND parents

Feb 3, 2025 | evisense.com | Nicola Davies

Join our FREE webinar – exploring how Evisense can help schools create meaningful connections with parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities. See how Evisense makes sharing moments from the classroom simple, whether it’s celebrating progress or keeping parents in the loop. Learn how to foster trust and collaboration with tools designed to make life easier for teachers and more reassuring for parents.
Studying for a career at the intersection of development and climate

Jan 30, 2025 | ids.ac.uk | Nicola Davies

Pedro Sanches de Frias, currently studying MSc Climate Change, Development and Policy, is one of the first students taking part in a double master’s programme as a result of our partnership with Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo (FGV EAESP). This partnership offers students the opportunity to study for a year at IDS after first year studying for a master’s in Brazil.
From Brazil to Brighton – reflections on the first term at IDS - Institute of Development Studies

Jan 29, 2025 | ids.ac.uk | Nicola Davies

Lucas dos Santos Miranda, MA Globalisation, Business & Development student (class of 2025), joined IDS as part of a double master’s programme partnership between IDS and Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV). We asked Lucas to tell us a bit about why he joined IDS, his first impressions and his plans for his dissertation. Interviewer: What were you doing before you came to IDS?
The top three things students ask our careers advisor

Jan 27, 2025 | ids.ac.uk | Nicola Davies

Did you know that students at IDS (and graduates for up to three years) have access to a range of skills development opportunities and careers support during their time with us? This includes a regular careers drop-in session with Helen Gorman, Careers and Employability Consultant at the University of Sussex. In this blog post, Helen shares with us some of the top queries she receives from students in the drop-in sessions.