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Raphie Kaplinsky worked at the IDS for more than three decades, and is currently an Emeritus Professorial Fellow at the Institute. Beginning in the early 1970s, Raphie’s research and policy career addressed a broad range of issues. It is not possible to cover all of them in a single discussion. Hence we have gathered a distinguished panel to consider an issue he has explored in depth over the past three decades – the drivers and character of deep globalisation (including the role played by Global Value Chains), the distributional outcomes of globalisation and the future of deep globalisation.

As the leader of the IDS Globalisation team, Raphie played an instrumental role in shaping the contributions which the IDS team made to the analysis of deepening globalisation after the 1980s. His 2005 book Globalisation, Poverty and Inequality; Between a Rock and a Hard Place, highlighted the role played by Global Value Chains in the global dispersion of production and in the uneven spreading of the gains of globalisation.

His recent work (including his 2021 book Sustainable Futures – An Agenda for Change) argues that we are at the end an era. ‘Business as Usual’ is no longer possible, deep globalisation is on the retreat, and new patterns of production and consumption are emerging which pose daunting and exciting challenges for a new path of development. Going ‘Beyond Catch-up’ is the challenge facing much of the developing world.

Raphie’s work has influenced many of us in the world of development studies. His intellectual style has always been collective and interactive and at his request the structure of this event will involve a dialogue, seeking to tease out the challenges facing developing countries in an increasingly disrupted world. A panel of academics who have interacted with Raphie over the past few decades will engage in a dialogue with him. He has specifically asked for discussants who disagree with his views!

Raphie will introduce the topic with a short statement on the issues. He will then engage in a dialogue with the panel and with contributions from the floor.

Panel speakers

• Gary Gereffi, Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Director of the Global Value Chains Center at Duke University;
• Khalid Nadvi, Professor, Global Development Institute at the University of Manchester;
• Lizbeth Navas-Aleman, Honorary Associate, Institute of Development Studies;
• Adrian Wood, Professor Emeritus of International Development, Oxford Department of International Development.

Chair

• Mike Morris, Emeritus Professor, PRISM School of Economics, University of Cape Town.

This event will be followed by a drinks reception for those attending in person.

For more information and to book your place 

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Posted on behalf of: Development and Alumni Relations events@sussex.ac.uk
Last updated: Thursday, 4 September 2025