Research and analysis

FCDO Areas of Research Interest (ARI)

Published 11 May 2026

Foreword

Professor Sir John Edmunds, FCDO Chief Scientific Adviser and Director of Research and Analysis

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) leads the UK’s development, diplomatic and consular work around the world.  We are the UK government department responsible for protecting and promoting British interests abroad, and lead on delivery of the international aspects of the Government’s missions, with priorities including development, security, climate and nature, boosting economic growth and tackling irregular migration.  

FCDO is committed to being an evidence-based department. As such we need and invest in science, research and analysis to underpin our policy making, delivery and operations, as well as to produce evidence and innovations that have a wider global good.  Through our R&D investments we seek to accelerate global progress through the production and application of research internationally. That is why we have separately published our Research Approach paper, which outlines our approach to funding R&D to the end of the decade through our Global Research and Technology Development portfolio.

We engage internationally with the research sector and partner country governments through the Science and Technology Network (STN) and regional Research and Innovation Hubs. External challenge and advice is provided by strategic boards such as our Research Advisory Group (RAG) and embedded expertise through our Senior Research Fellows Programme. 

This first Areas of Research Interest (ARI) publication for FCDO is an important step to highlight areas where we are keen to develop and expand our evidence^{[footnote 1]}.  I welcome this opportunity to broaden and deepen FCDO’s network of researchers from across academia, industry and the wider research community.  I encourage experts with the relevant knowledge to connect with the department to enhance FCDO’s evidence base and further strengthen the UK’s diplomatic, development and consular policy and operations.   

Professor Sir John Edmunds, FCDO Chief Scientific Adviser and Director of Research and Analysis

Introduction

Led by FCDO’s Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA), the FCDO supports research to deliver timely, fit-for-purpose and effective development, diplomatic and security policy.  Research ensures FCDO activities are resilient to shocks and emergencies, equips us to develop and capitalise on the use of emerging technologies, and generates rigorous evidence to address global challenges. 

Research is an essential force in international affairs, permeating all levels of geopolitical engagement. It underpins our national security and is a major driver of UK economic growth.  Research is a crucial part of the UK’s modern international development offer, helping to tackle development challenges, and to innovate and scale technology solutions to save and improve lives around the world. 

The UK’s support for research internationally is a recognised area of strength and the FCDO is committed to using evidence to inform its modern, equitable approach to international development and diplomacy work, as well as to support the UK as a global thought leader.  FCDO continues to work in partnership to deliver the development, outcomes and impact our partners want: as an investor rather than as a donor and from service delivery to system support, while drawing on the UK’s leading expertise and delivering more through local partners.

This Areas of Research Interest (ARI) publication articulates the key evidence needs of the department and identifies research questions that we believe are important for addressing international development and diplomacy objectives. The purpose of the publication is to promote collaboration and engagement across government and the wider research community in the UK and globally. The ARI is not intended to constrain research that is undertaken but to provide guidance about the topics where FCDO believes further research is most likely to inform and support policy-making on international priorities.

Further objectives of the ARI include:

• sustaining a continuous dialogue with external expertise on FCDO research interests.
• welcoming the submission of evidence that aligns with identified research topics to help build the evidence base and stimulate future collaboration
• communicating FCDO research interests to other government departments to allow cross-cutting themes to be identified
• building new and strengthening existing partnerships in the UK and globally

Reflecting the breadth of FCDO interests and global priorities, this ARI is divided into thematic research areas. Questions within these themes cut across diplomacy and development, recognising these are interlinked and complementary objectives.

The ARI is neither exhaustive nor definitive, instead it is intended to facilitate conversations alongside building relationships. FCDO remains interested in research that lies outside the areas outlined that may still be relevant to FCDO policy or delivery. FCDO’s evidence requirements will evolve over time and, when necessary, we intend to update this ARI document to reflect this.

Engaging with the ARI and FCDO

Whilst the ARI does not provide a route to access funding, FCDO welcomes engagement from academia, industry and research communities.  We invite people to use the ARI database to better understand the broader Government research priorities.

The ARI is a helpful tool to consider whether existing or prospective research is likely to address FCDO and UK Government priorities. When submitting a funding or grant application, the ARI can help to align research proposals with priority research themes and strengthen the case for the potential public impact of the research.

To contact FCDO’s CSA and Research and Analysis Directorate (RAD) with any questions relating to the ARI email GlobalResearchandTechnologyDevelopment@fcdo.gov.uk.

Given the importance of research accessibility and uptake, researchers are encouraged through their work to consider the wider foreign policy and international development context, how they can partner and engage with international stakeholders, particularly in the global South, and how their research and analysis can feed into the global policy conversation and enable progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To make FCDO’s R&D programmes, achievements, research policies, principles, and funding opportunities more open and accessible, we have created a Global Research and Technology Development (GRTD) platform that pulls together our R&D portfolio.

Through GRTD we fund, manage, and promote the high-impact research and innovation supported by FCDO to address global challenges. We do this by harnessing UK scientific strengths and promoting equitable international science partnerships.

GRTD hosts the Research Commissioning Centre (RCC): a mechanism launched in 2023 to streamline FCDO funding and commissioning processes, which is led by 3ie and the University of Birmingham.

Research themes

• ARI 1: Climate and Nature
• ARI 2: Growth and Investment
• ARI 3: Migration
• ARI 4: Conflict, Humanitarian and Emergencies
• ARI 5: National and International Security
• ARI 6: Inclusion and Gender Equality
• ARI 7: Education
• ARI 8: Food and Agriculture
• ARI 9: Global Health
• ARI 10: Politics and Governance
• ARI 11: Technology and Innovation
• ARI 12: Operational Technology, Innovation and Technical Security
• ARI 13: Strengthening Research and Innovation Systems

ARI 1: Climate and nature

This theme seeks to understand a broad spectrum of climate and environment issues and to explore how the sustainable use of resources, new innovations, increased capacity, partnerships and scientific breakthroughs can drive transformations in global energy, economic, social and food systems to reduce externalities and enable sustainable, climate-resilient development.

Research requirements span energy access and the energy transition, critical minerals, climate science, climate risk and resilience and water security and productive ecosystems. Cutting edge research and innovations in these areas helps to unlock the potential of green growth and the energy transition, to build communities’ resilience to climate change and to strengthen anticipatory action and responses to severe weather and food insecurity, particularly across Africa, South Asia and the Indo Pacific. Deepening understanding of the differential impact of climate risks, innovations and responses on different groups including intersectionality and approaches to ensuring, capacity strengthening and equitable and sustainable growth and poverty alleviation.

1.1 Climate finance and investment

• how can we mobilise international finance and attract investment for climate resilience and low-carbon projects in LMICs (low- and middle-income countries)? How can we ensure it has the desired impact and is sustainable?
• how can innovation and new technologies increase adaptive capacity and finance for adaptation?

1.2 Climate risk, resilience and adaptation

• what are the key climate risks and how can we build resilience and adaptation in LMICs, especially for vulnerable groups?
• how can countries manage predictable climate risks in sectors like health, housing, and infrastructure? What are the barriers to scale?
• how can systemic resilience be achieved across sectors, and how can early warning systems be used effectively, including to ensure long-term resilience?

1.3 Safe water and productive ecosystems

• what approaches ensure sustainable water access and security for health, agriculture, and economic growth? What are the barriers to scale?
• how can ecosystem restoration and circular economy approaches enhance climate resilience and promote inclusive and equitable growth?
• what practices reduce biodiversity loss and environmental degradation, and how can decisions for sustainable growth be made more inclusive?

1.4 Clean energy access and transition

• what technologies and business models accelerate access to clean, affordable energy and support the clean energy transition across LDC (least-developed countries) and LMICs?
• what are the barriers to deploying new energy technologies at scale?
• how can Sub-Saharan Africa and LDCs (least developed countries) exploit natural resources sustainably including as part of global supply chains?
• how does political economy influence energy transition, and what interventions minimise emissions and attract private finance?
• how can energy and transportation sectors be effectively integrated as transport electrifies in LMICs?

ARI 2: Growth and investment

Research supports policy makers to adjust to the changing global economic environment, to deliver sustainable, inclusive growth that is resilient to a variety of shocks. Global changes in technology, trade and climate are re-shaping the pathways open to countries of all income levels to drive structural transformation and employment-rich growth, while increased debt levels are reducing policymakers’ room to manoeuvre.

Research and evidence are also needed to bring a suite of broader economic tools to spur the private sector and increase productivity through increased investment, trade, technological upgrading and improved human capital and infrastructure.

2.1 Growth and jobs  

• what are the feasible pathways for structural economic transformation for LMICs, to drive productivity growth, job-creation and increased incomes, and to reduce poverty? And how does this differ in higher income countries? 
• what is the role for industrial policies in countries at different income levels? What are the capabilities needed to implement them effectively? How can they best be used in today’s economic environment? How should countries respond to other countries’ industrial policies? 
• what are the barriers preventing (large) firm creation, growth and technology adoption? Which policies can countries adopt to increase the rate of innovation diffusion?
• how will technology shape labour markets, including the use of automation and artificial intelligence and unequal access to digital skills and technologies? Which policies are most effective in mitigating some of the unintended consequences of rapid technological development?
• what are the most effective approaches to designing and implementing inclusive economic policies that ensure that women and other marginalised groups contribute to and benefit from economic growth and technological transfer? How does inclusion impact overall productivity and long-term economic resilience? 

2.2 Finance and macro-stability 

• what works to increase and improve the quantity and quality of financing for sustainable infrastructure that supports economic development in LMICs, including flows of private financing? How should higher income countries leverage private-sector finance to crowd in investment?
• how can the international community work together to ensure that finance is deployed effectively to deliver real world outcomes? 
• how can debt restructuring processes be improved in the context of a broader creditor landscape, to ensure more timely resolution and enable future growth?  
• how can macroeconomic policy best prepare for and respond to shocks, while creating a conducive environment for growth? What options are there for policymakers to tackle elevated debt levels, while protecting investment for growth and essential social spending?  How should this approach vary by income level?
• how can state capability best deliver public services and policy reform, including tax policy and administration?  
• how can economic policies either support or undermine stability in fragile states and what is the role that economic factors play in driving and sustaining conflict and increasing the likelihood of migration?  

2.3 Infrastructure and urban development 

• what works to encourage productive cities, including enhancing the evidence base on the linkages between urban transport and employment (opportunities for employment, differentiated impacts on vulnerable groups including women, girls and people living with disabilities), health care or education? How do formal and informal transportation systems interface and how does this affect productivity and social outcomes?   
• what works to effectively change systems and behaviours to ensure built infrastructure is well operated and maintained, with sufficient and ongoing finances for operation, maintenance and replacement? 
• what are the most effective transport systems (including freight and logistics, sector reform, road, rail and marine transport and digital systems) to enable regional and international trade?
• what are the most effective approaches to electricity system investments and management to support inclusive growth? 
• what is the role of transport infrastructure and services in enhancing food and energy security, including the role of rural road networks in efficient distribution, impact on cost and incentives to increase productivity?   

2.4 Global economics and climate change  

• how can we decouple economic growth and emissions? Which investments and policies can support multiple objectives, for example, both growth and climate resilience/low-carbon transitions/environmental sustainability?  
• how can we achieve productivity growth in agriculture, increasing resilience to climatic shocks, without significantly increasing the agricultural sector’s contribution to global emissions?   
• what are the effects of environmental and climatic shocks on firms and households and what are their behavioural responses? What are the constraints to adaptation? How are the effects and responses shaped by inequality? What are the impacts on migration, within countries and internationally? 
• how can public policy address constraints to geographical and economic mobility for workers displaced from the energy transition and climatic shocks? What policies are required to productively integrate migrants into urban areas?
• which investments best support climate compatible and sustainable growth in developing countries?  
• how can we use country diagnostics to identify appropriate interventions to support low-carbon transitions and clean development pathways?  
• what is the evidence for optimal transport and energy decarbonisation pathways for countries at different levels of development, including the role of electrification and electric vehicles?  
• what are the best approaches to enabling LMICs that hold reserves of minerals and metals critical to the clean energy transition to maximise the inclusive economic development potential of these reserves, whilst also supporting the goal of diversifying global supply chains of critical minerals? 

ARI 3: Migration

Research on migration can inform FCDO policy decisions by providing data and analysis on migration patterns, drivers, and impacts, both globally and for the UK. Such evidence is crucial to inform international migration policy, address its harms, reinforce its benefits, and achieve strategic goals related to development, security, and international stability. Research can help build a better picture of the complex drivers of migration and ensure that diplomacy, policy and programmes draw on holistic, detailed evidence about what works in migration, leading to more effective and targeted interventions.

3.1 Understanding migration contexts and dynamics

• what are the drivers and dynamics that shape the patterns and flows of migration and displacement, including economic development, climate change and conflict? How are these factors likely to affect migration patterns in the near and mid-term?
• how can we better understand different regional migration ecosystems and dynamics that drive the movement of people?
• what are the relationships between conflict and fragility and migration within and out of conflict affected and fragile countries and regions?
• how do factors such as social protection, access to services, or social cohesion, safety and community relations influence this?
• what is the role of illicit economies and organised crime in driving and facilitating migration?
• what are the dynamics and relationships between development, economic growth and migration?
• what are the intersecting vulnerabilities across marginalised groups including migration status, gender, age, ethnicity and religion?
• what do long-term differential demographic trends in various regions of the world imply for migration patterns?
• what are the benefits and costs of migration: from the impact on economic growth, to pressure on public services and housing supply? How do these benefits and costs relate to different categories of migrant?

3.2 Understanding possible responses, including with a focus on irregular migration

• which policy instruments have been more or less effective in stemming irregular migration to UK and Europe, and/or promoting regular migration?
• what are the attitudes to migration in the UK as it relates to feasible responses?
• what are the most effective ways to support safety and address the potential harms and dangers of migration for migrants?
• what impact do safe and legal migration routes have on irregular migration to the UK?
• how effective are bilateral and multilateral agreements with origin and transit countries in reducing irregular migration?
• what impact, if any, do global skills partnerships that address skill shortages in the UK have on irregular migration?
• how can international labour mobility schemes be designed & managed for triple wins – to benefit sending countries, receiving countries and the migrants themselves?
• what factors mitigate the social and economic costs of migration? 
• what policy approaches to migration have been most successful for developed countries in securing their immigration objectives?

ARI 4: Conflict, humanitarian and emergencies

Conflict is increasing, the humanitarian context is rapidly becoming more volatile, and humanitarian need has reached unprecedented levels in recent years. We support independent, public-good research and draw on available evidence to inform our work on preventing, resolving and recovering from conflict; protecting civilians; promoting peaceful and sustainable transitions from conflict; preventing and mitigating the humanitarian consequences of forced displacement; effective humanitarian interventions; innovations for better humanitarian outcomes; and forecasting, anticipating, and preparing for future disasters and crisis.

4.1 Conflict

• how are geopolitics and conflict dynamics evolving globally and across different regions? How is this changing context affecting the institutions, norms, tools and approaches to prevent and respond to conflict? 
• what do we know about the cross-border and transnational nature of conflict and how can policy responses best address this reality?
• what drives violent and peaceful behaviour, and which resilience factors buffer communities from cycles of conflict?
• what works to support mediation, peace and transition process and implementation in the current context of fragmented conflicts and heightened systemic global competition?
• how do new communication technologies and AI influence conflict and peace, and how can they be leveraged to foster peace?
• how can responses to conflict better integrate climate and environmental adaptation and mitigation? What risks and opportunities for peace does the global green transition represent?

4.2 Humanitarian

• which innovations and new technologies will have the most impact in enabling the humanitarian system to operate more efficiently and effectively and how can we scale them?
• what works to deliver humanitarian assistance and protection to the most vulnerable in conflict-affected countries?
• how can resilient livelihoods for farmers and pastoralists in protracted crises and climate change be supported?
• how can we improve forecasting, anticipatory action, and measuring and projecting excess mortality?
• how can respect for International Humanitarian Law and Humanitarian principles be promoted?
• how can basic services such as health and education for vulnerable people be sustained for the long-term in conflict-prone areas, and how can humanitarian and development efforts be better integrated to support this?
• what works to promote the use of clean energy by displaced people, refugees and host communities?
• what will the changing international political context and climate change mean for how the humanitarian system operates? What are the potential impacts on levels of migration?

4.3 Disaster risk reduction (DRR)

• what is the role of nature-based solutions in relation to building adaptive capacity and in disaster responses, including DRR?
• how can previous responses to emergencies (such as natural hazard events, infrastructure failures, or malicious attacks) best inform future responses?
• how can infrastructure be constructed in a way that reduces the risk of failure, causing harm, and leaving vulnerable groups behind in the event of a disaster?
• how can existing infrastructure be adapted and made more resilient for uncertain futures?
• what inclusive city and town planning approaches can better prepare for DRR?
• where are the best examples for transitioning from humanitarian responses to development processes in the built environment and how can lessons be transferred?
• what needs to be done to tackle aging infrastructure reaching the end of its safe design life? What is the cost?
• how can Early Warning Systems take account of better knowing the state of the built environment stock?

4.4 Science for emergencies

• how is advice best communicated during an international crisis, considering audience needs and communication mediums? What works best to identify, target, support and, measure outcomes of behavioural interventions during emergency responses?
• what are the most effective mechanisms for procuring and integrating expertise and evidence during international crises? What strategies are best for decision-making with incomplete data and how should such decisions be communicated?
• which actions can build local capacity, strengthen systems, and improve preparedness and resilience, and reduce the likelihood of resulting migration?
• what does research indicate about climate as a driver of conflict? How can post-conflict reconstruction avoid pollution-emitting technologies?
• how can emergencies and disasters be anticipated better and so responded to faster?

ARI 5: National and international security

Threats to UK and international security take multiple forms, from the changing nature of warfare; role of illicit flows; patterns of organised crime and terrorism as transnational threats; the increase in state-linked hostile activities; to risks of direct confrontation with adversaries; and increasing salience of nuclear weapons. Disinformation and new technology bring new vulnerabilities. Research supports policy makers in understanding, adapting and responding to geopolitical and geoeconomic shifts; systemic competition; rapid technological change; and transnational challenges. Countering threats and harnessing scientific advantage will require the ability to combine innovation with international collaboration.

5.1 Geopolitics, security and conflict

• what are the main geopolitical trends affecting international relations and their likely trajectory? What are the implications for UK strategy?
• what are the foreign policy priorities of various powers, and how are they using their diplomatic levers to influence others?  How are governments shaping foreign and defence policy including the role of diplomacy as well as the military?
• how can major global economic competitors co-exist peacefully in a world of fragmentation and geopolitical change? What are the policy implications for the UK?
• what are the UK national security implications of global conflict and how can we manage these?
• assuming a ceasefire or peace agreement is reached for Ukraine, what structures, measures and security architecture will be most effective in strengthening strategic stability in Europe as a whole?
• what are the drivers of a growing/resurgent presence of military actors in politics, and what are the potential global and regional implications? 
• what works to manage military risks in an era of systemic competition?
• what are the most effective interventions to strengthen strategic stability and avoid escalation in a situation of systemic global competition, including managing competition involving nuclear powers?
• what are the potential impacts of new technologies on the nature of warfare and potential responses

5.2 Transnational threats

• what are the current and emerging national security issues related to transnational threats including international terrorism, illicit finance, organised crime, private security actors, conflict, proliferation, disinformation and state and non-state threats?
• which strategies strengthen security and resilience against these transnational threats? Which approaches to addressing state threats are most effective, and how do they relate to building resilience in the UK?
• what works best for countering mis- and dis-information? How does this change with the nature of the mis/disinformation and the target?

5.3 Global architecture

• how and in what circumstances can sanctions help or harm foreign policy goals and how can their effectiveness be measured?
• what are the interactions between international security developments, goals and policies with respect to the global net zero transition?
• what are the current and emerging multilateral trends within international institutions, including the UN, NATO, Commonwealth, Council of Europe, in relation to Human Rights, Sanctions, War Crimes, proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological threats, and wider international relations. How are these understood through the lens of UK interests, security, values and prosperity, and global development?

ARI 6: Inclusion and gender equality

FCDO is committed to generating new global evidence and testing ‘what works’ to improve gender equality and inclusion at scale. We are particularly interested in longer-term, multi-country research to better understand the drivers of socio, economic and legal challenges faced by women, girls and marginalised groups, including in humanitarian and crisis settings. We apply rigorous research methods, including ‘what works’ impact assessments, to identify what interventions do and do not succeed in improving equitable outcomes in different contexts and how they can be scaled up.  

FCDO’s research portfolio has a remit on gender and inclusion as a broad issue, with a focus on economic empowerment, agency and leadership, preventing violence against women and girls, enhancing youth skills and promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights. Rising misogyny, mis-and disinformation, and attacks on women’s rights (both online and off) are important new areas of work.

6.1 Leadership, participation, and inclusion

• how can we effectively support women and marginalised groups as leaders in research, policy, and community action, particularly through equitable partnerships and co-creation with global majority institutions?
• what strategies best promote women’s leadership in political, humanitarian, and conflict resolution spaces, and how can these be cost-effectively scaled up?

6.2 Rights, backlash, and social change

• what drives backlash against feminism and women’s rights, and how do social movements, media, and governments shape these dynamics, at individual, community, national and multinational levels?
• what approaches are most effective in promoting and protecting the rights of women, girls, and LGBT+ communities, especially amid rights rollbacks, conflict, crisis, and climate change?
• how are anti-rights movements funded, and does this relate to illicit financial flows?

6.3 Systems strengthening and resilience

• how can we sustainably strengthen systems and legislation related to SRHR, violence prevention, social protection, and child protection for women and girls?
• how can we build local capacity and resilience to counter misinformation, shift social norms, and uphold fundamental human rights?

6.4 Technology, safety and access

• how can digital technologies be harnessed to advance gender equality and promote safety by design, including for persons with disabilities and those without digital access?
• what are the most effective ways to close the digital divide and address technology-facilitated gender-based violence?

6.5 Economic empowerment and future readiness

• what models best promote inclusive economic growth and opportunities for the most marginalised?
• how can we prepare youth—especially girls—for future labour market demands and technological transformations?
• how can we ensure a just and inclusive green transition, including through innovations in agriculture and food systems?

ARI 7: Education

There is a widespread learning crisis. By 2030, trends indicate that over half school-aged children will not master basic literacy and numeracy. Globally, two-thirds of children are currently in school and will reach the end of primary school but not achieve minimum proficiency levels in reading. In addition, many countries are facing multiple, overlapping crises—including conflict, climate change, and political instability. These crises are impacting education systems, especially for marginalised groups. FCDO research is filling evidence gaps on how to strengthen national education systems including in the context of poly-crisis, education in conflict and crisis, education technology and early childhood development, understanding how to build climate-smart education systems, and how to invest in human capital for better climate outcomes.

7.1 Strengthening education systems and scaling interventions

• what can be done to strengthen national education systems to improve learning outcomes at scale for all children, including the most marginalised? 
• what are the main implementation lessons and challenges to successful scaling of high-return (‘Smart Buys’) education interventions in LMICs? And how can they be addressed to implement nationally driven reforms that will improve learning outcomes for all?

7.2 Building resilient and adaptive education systems

• how can we ensure that education systems are resilient to overlapping and intersecting crises of climate change, environmental degradation and, acute and protracted humanitarian emergencies and crises?
• in conflict and protracted crisis contexts, what are the most effective approaches to education provision and what works to improve the holistic learning of children and strengthen the coherence of education systems?

7.3 Early childhood development

• what are the most effective ways of scaling holistic high-quality early childhood development, to improve foundational learning, socio-emotional skills and lifelong opportunities? 

7.4 Education technology and artificial intelligence

• what is the role of education technology in improving education in LMICs and how can we understand the risks and support cost-effective and scalable solutions to improve learning outcomes?
• how can AI be responsibly and equitably integrated into education systems in LMICs, ensuring effectiveness, safety and sustainability for learners, teachers and school leaders?

ARI 8: Food and agriculture

Food and agriculture research are central to the UK’s modern approach to development to create a world free from poverty and hunger on a liveable planet. We will harness UK and international science expertise and development leadership to prevent hunger and malnutrition crises, and make food systems more productive, resilient and sustainable.  We will generate evidence and solutions to support the transition of food systems which underpin UK ambitions on climate and nature, growth and development outcomes.

1. Food and agriculture

• which interventions and technologies (such as climate resilient crops, livestock health treatments, vaccines and agronomic practices) enable us to boost productivity and tackle food insecurity in a changing climate, whilst protecting nature?
• how can we harness advances in genomics, digital/AI and other emerging technologies to accelerate the development and delivery of climate resilient, disease resistant, nutritious, productive crops and other agriculture innovations?
• what works in accelerating inclusive, clean growth and jobs (particularly for women and marginalised groups), ensuring that commercial agriculture and food solutions contribute both to economic growth and security? What barriers exist in different contexts, what tailored interventions are needed and how might these impact aspirations for migration? How can we catalyse finance and business models to scale productivity-enhancing agriculture solutions for vulnerable households?
• what interventions within the food and agriculture sector are cost-effective in building resilience to climate and economic shocks, contributing to reducing humanitarian caseloads, climate adaptation, and improving nutrition particularly for women and children?
• which policies and interventions are cost-effective in addressing the pervasive and severe gender gaps in agriculture and food insecurity, and empowering women, girls and other marginalised groups (including through improving access to sustainable healthy diets, safe food, and building resilience to shocks)?
• what evidence and technologies can help prevent, identify and respond to emerging animal and plant health threats, including emerging infectious diseases that can spread to people? 
• how can policies and interventions, supported by capacity building and research, support the food system transitions that are necessary to the delivery of action on climate and reversal of global declines in biodiversity?

ARI 9: Global health

FCDO supports long-term research investment to tackle a range of global health problems. This spans areas such as preventable maternal and childhood mortality, comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), diseases of poverty (such as malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS and Neglected Tropical Diseases) emerging infectious diseases and diseases of epidemic potential.  

We support the development of and equitable access to new vaccines, diagnostics and treatments; applied research to strengthen health systems and financing, and building inclusive and equitable partnerships for collaborative research. We recognise the scientific strengths of partner countries and the importance of localised, context specific research. Greater evidence and research are needed on how increased conflict and fragility, climate change and food insecurity are challenging efforts to make progress towards the health SDGs, especially for the most vulnerable people in LMICs.

9.1 Healthy women, children and newborns

• what are the best ways to tackle the leading causes and drivers of maternal and newborn mortality, morbidity, and stillbirths in pregnancy, labour and delivery, particularly in fragile settings?
• what interventions work best to tackle infectious diseases of poverty that particularly affect women, children and people with disabilities, such as malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS, pneumonia, meningitis and neglected tropical diseases?
• what combination of structural and health system interventions can address the unmet need for contraceptives and improve sexual and reproductive health, including among adolescents and other vulnerable groups?
• how can interventions be combined (for example, malaria vaccines with other malaria control tools) to improve overall effectiveness and service delivery?

9.2 Emerging infectious diseases and diseases of epidemic potential

• what interventions work best to accelerate the development of and equitable access to new health technologies (vaccines, diagnostics and treatments, new modalities of delivery) for diseases with epidemic and pandemic potential?
• how can country-led rapid research responses for preventing, preparing for, and responding to epidemic outbreaks in vulnerable countries be improved, including in those countries affected by conflict and protracted humanitarian crises?
• which policy responses and donor interventions best address the changing burden of disease linked to climate change and environmental pressures?

9.3 Health systems, financing and service delivery

• given rapid changes in the global health architecture, how can countries manage the transition from aid, including methods for raising domestic revenues and other innovative sources of health financing?
• what approaches work best to strengthen health systems in fragile and shock-prone settings, to improve coordination between overlapping health systems, and to increase access for vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities?
• what approaches should be adopted to measure the impact of health system strengthening interventions?
• what works to strengthen health system resilience in the context of a changing climate?
• what are the opportunities that AI, digital, big data and informatics can play in driving effectiveness, efficiency and access to services and, to inform effective resource allocation and decision making?
• how can the health sector work more effectively with other sectors to deliver more effective public health services to tackle infectious disease burdens, for example, through One Health approaches?

ARI 10: Politics and governance

FCDO seeks to understand the relationship between power and institutions, and how this affects state functions and accountability. Politics and governance research supports the delivery of interconnected challenges of domestic resource mobilisation, financial management, anti-corruption, state capacity and service delivery. It also aims to support healthy and vibrant civil societies that are navigating challenges including democratic rollback and the impact of new technologies on governance, political contestation and civic space.

We aim to identify the conditions and interventions that can lead to peace and better governance, and improved humanitarian contexts. Furthermore, we wish to add to the evidence available to improve our own diplomatic and development interventions.

10.1 Politics, technology and the geopolitics of technology

• how are current and emerging technologies including tech for surveillance or transparency are changing citizen-state relations and reconfiguring political settlements?
• how is technology intersecting with shifting geopolitical conditions, and what are the implications of this for political mobilisation and trends towards autocracy?
• what are the implications of emerging technology for politics and international development, at multilateral, regional, national and local levels?
• what are effective models for international collaboration on governance and regulation of critical and emerging technologies? What can we learn from similar historical examples?
• what are the current and emerging national security issues related to cyber and emerging technology?
• how are multinational technology corporations influencing the norms and practices of international diplomacy and global governance?
• to what extent are Big Tech platforms redefining sovereignty and jurisdiction in cross-border data governance and digital infrastructure?
• how do Big Tech actors participate in norm entrepreneurship within international institutions, particularly around AI ethics, cybersecurity, and digital rights?
• what are the implications of Big Tech’s involvement in strategic sectors (for example, defence, intelligence, space) for traditional state-centric models of international relations?
• to what extent are emerging concepts like the “network state” redefining sovereignty and democratic legitimacy in the digital age?

10.2 Political transition

• what are the causes and consequences of regime transitions? How can the UK government navigate its partnerships in the context of regime transitions and associated geopolitical alignments?
• how is political mobilisation, protest and resistance changing and how is this affecting relationships between citizens and the state?
• what are the implications and impacts of different forms of political mobilisation, including in relation to attempts to control civic space through new laws and regulations?

10.3 Politics of wealth inequality and inclusive growth

• what works to tackle illicit flows, and what can we learn from tracking flows in property or other sectors?
• what are the political configurations that promote sustained growth, inclusion, poverty reduction and resilience / exit from fragility in low and lower-middle income countries?
• how are shifting trade relationships, changes to the international aid architecture and new forms of development finance changing the politics of inclusive growth?
• how are women and marginalised groups impacted by changing financial flows and rising wealth inequality?

10.4 Global dynamics

• how do changing global power relations affect national political settlements, coalitions and bargaining, and what are the implications for development?
• which kinds of governance reform work to improve outcomes relating to climate change mitigation and adaptation?

ARI 11: Technology and innovation

Innovation has contributed to significant strides in development, from agricultural output in the green revolution, to financial inclusion and accessible services with mobile money and pay-as-you-go business models. FCDO researches and invests in cutting edge technology and innovation to test and scale new ideas, approaches, technologies and business models with the potential to accelerate progress on international development. 

FCDO works at the forefront of advances in technology and innovation, in partnership with countries, NGOs and the private sector to strengthen the enabling environment for innovation, to build innovation ecosystems and technology capacity, and to grow the evidence-base on the effectiveness of new use cases. Without the right policies, regulation, responsibility and safety frameworks, and inclusive and behavioural design principles, new technologies can also bring disruption, cause harm and exacerbate inequalities. Creating a responsible and inclusive environment for safe technology development, that protects the most vulnerable, including women and girls and people with disabilities, while encouraging innovation to thrive, is a complex challenge faced by governments, especially those in LMICs.

11.1 Technology governance

• how can LMICs enhance responsible governance, capability development, data protection and safety for harnessing emerging technologies like AI?
• how do technological changes impact political, economic, social, environmental and geopolitical structures and how can policymakers balance risks and opportunities?
• how can access to critical technologies be inclusive of marginalised groups, such as women and people with disabilities, and what skills or interventions are needed for these groups to benefit equally from these technologies?
• how can emerging technologies amplify or control misinformation, how are vulnerable people impacted, and what interventions strengthen responses?
• how does AI impact election and governance processes globally, and what works to mitigate risks?

11.2 Social impact, business models and scaling

• what aid-funded interventions effectively support innovation ecosystems addressing development challenges?
• what forms of venture support grow innovative and inclusive businesses in developing countries, and what market access barriers do LMICs face in adopting critical technologies?
• which scalable, high-impact technology use cases tackle priority SDG challenges, and what are the best routes to scale these innovations in LMICs?
• what strategies can be employed to ensure that technology-driven business models are both sustainable and equitable?
• how can we measure the long-term social impact of technology interventions, and what metrics should be used?

11.3 Innovation, Inclusive Design and Behavioural Science

• how can behavioural science and innovative approaches improve development impact in LMICs and accelerate SDG progress?
• what are the best approaches to design and scale inclusive, behaviourally informed, human-centred interventions that meet the needs of marginalised populations and what evidence gaps exist?
• how can we integrate environmental sustainability into technology innovation to address both development and ecological challenges?

ARI 12: Operational technology, innovation and technical security

Rapid technological advances are creating significant opportunities and threats to how the FCDO, and our HMG partners, operate, communicate and deliver impactful diplomatic, development, and consular outcomes across the globe. The FCDO seeks to understand how advances in technology across fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, space and next-generation communications can be harnessed to increase our impact, efficiency, resilience and the reach of our work, while also addressing the new and evolving threats these same technological advances may pose.

12.1 Technical security

• what are the threats and opportunities to national security presented by new and applied sciences (for example, acoustics, quantum advances, machine learning, artificial intelligence, future radio frequency transmission techniques). What are the foreign policy implications of the associated engineering, technology and cultural shifts?
• what do academic and industry partners’ evaluations of new and existing technologies recommend in terms of continuing sufficient protection of national security assets. What are the foreign policy implications of these for the UK?

12.2 Operational capabilities

• how might we proactively shape our operational capabilities and defences to maximise the benefits and minimise the threats from emerging and disruptive technologies?
• in an ever more connected, data rich and complex world, how might we optimise our use of rich and diverse data sets to understand the intent of other actors, to inform decision makers, to drive faster and better decisions and to counter the risks from information manipulation?
• how might we protect our people, buildings and our physical and virtual operations from emerging, disruptive and novel technological threats and vulnerabilities?
• how might academic and industry partners’ evaluation of new and existing technologies and their development of novel dual-use or single-use solutions inform the FCDO’s future operational capabilities and enable the FCDO and our partners to achieve diplomatic advantage?
• how might we deliver diplomatic, development and consular outcomes in new ways through the use of novel and emerging technologies?
• how might advances in communication technologies (for example, future telephony, social media, the evolution of the internet) provide new opportunities and create new challenges for the effective delivery of diplomatic outcomes and for securely running a global operation?

ARI 13: Strengthening research and innovation systems

FCDO supports initiatives that strengthen the capacity of research and innovation systems in the Global South to address their own development challenges and create sustainable growth.

This area of research interest explores how to strengthen the capacity and capability of individuals, institutions, governments, and key stakeholder groups to generate, access and use high-quality, locally relevant evidence and insights, and to develop and scale commercially viable products that support wider societal, economic and development impact.

There is a need to address the funding, policy and skills gaps, and consider how systemic barriers to a thriving research and innovation ecosystem can be overcome.

We know that science partnerships that are co-designed with and led by Global South partners can deliver significant impact. We want to understand how bilateral and international collaborations and partnerships can effectively support the development of more equitable, inclusive and sustainable research ecosystems in the Global South.

13. Strengthening research and innovation systems

• what works to develop and maintain successful equitable partnerships with Global South partners?
• what works to improve the availability of and access to public funding and private sector investment across national and regional research and innovation systems?
• how can we incentivise replicable research and innovation, and improve the uptake of evidence in decision-making in the Global South?
• what barriers exist to Global South researchers, including marginalised groups, fully contributing to and participating in international collaborations, and how can these be overcome?
• how can we incentivise the effective pull through of research to commercialisation and scale-up of innovations in diverse Global South contexts?
• what works to increase the resilience of a research and innovation ecosystem against economic, social or geopolitical shocks?
• what kind of monitoring and evaluation frameworks are most effective at informing current and future capacity strengthening initiatives?
• what are the best ways to improve data use in decision-making and to harness technological developments (for example, AI) to maximise the development impact of our ODA research investment?

1. Previous ARIs from the FCO (2 June 2020) and DFID (October 2016) outlined the research interests of these two departments. ↩