Current and recent research 

1. Vulnerability, Food Security and Social Protection (2005-ongoing)

   This research area emerged from earlier rural livelihoods work and from engagement in the ODI-led Forum for Food Security in Southern Africa (FFSSA) in 2003. In 2005 Frank Ellis became co-principal investigator (with Stephen Devereux and Philip White) of the research component of the DFID-funded Regional Hunger and Vulnerability Programme (RHVP). The objective of this programme was to shift the policy response to growing vulnerability in the southern African region from emergency responses to social protection; an aim moderately well captured by the phrase ‘predictable funding for predictable needs’. The intention of the research component was to disseminate best practice in food security and social protection within and between southern African countries, and to stimulate effective policy change in these areas. Research outputs from RHVP are listed under REPORTS AND WORKING PAPERS below, and can also be found on the programme website at http://www.wahenga.net/ RHVP developed in two phases 2005-08, and 2009-10. Since 2009, Frank Ellis has been a member of the AusAid Expert Panel on Social Protection. Food security and social protection remain key areas of research interest. 

2. Local Government Taxation and Pathways out of Poverty (2003-06)

   This followed on from findings of the LADDER project (see below and the LADDER website), and comprised projects funded by DFID in Uganda and the World Bank in Tanzania. In the Uganda case, detailed quantitative empirical work was conducted on the incidence of local taxes on firms of different sizes and households with different per capita income levels, as well as on traders in markets (see Bahiigwa et al., 2004 under REPORTS AND WORKING PAPERS below). In the Tanzania case a Poverty and Social Impact (PSIA) study was conducted for the World Bank on local taxation reform (see Cross & Ellis, 2006 under REPORTS AND WORKING PAPERS below) 

3. Ethiopia Participatory Poverty Assessment 2004-05 (2004-06, 2007)

   This was a major research exercise conducted in collaboration with Dr Tassew Woldehanna of the Economics Department at Addis Ababa University. Frank Ellis was responsible for devising the methodology manual for the PPA, drawing on best practice from previous PPAs in other countries as well as lessons learned from the LADDER studies. The PPA conducted qualitative research in 31 rural and 14 urban research sites covering the whole of Ethiopia. The PPA report can be found under REPORTS AND WORKING PAPERS below. Some of the findings of the PPA were utilised in the Plan for Accelerated and Sustained Development to End Poverty (PASDEP), the second-round Ethiopia PRSP, published in September 2006; and were also incorporated in a subsequent Ethiopia poverty analysis (see Woldehanna et al., 2008, under BOOKS).

4. Livelihoods and Diversification Directions Explored by Research (LADDER) (2000-2004, 2006)

   The DFID-funded LADDER research programme ran for five years in total and involved collaboration with research teams in four countries (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi) as well as policy workshops held in each country, an international conference on Rural Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction Policies held in Nairobi in January 2003, a total of 10 refereed journal articles and an edited book published by Routledge in 2005. The research conducted quantitative and qualitative livelihoods research with 1345 households in 37 villages across the four countries. The project had its own website, still accessible here, from which the quantitative data sets and qualitative village reports, as well as working papers, can be downloaded. Many of the refereed publications from this project are listed under Frank Ellis Publications (below). In 2005-06, revisit research was conducted in Uganda in a project known as LADDER 2, the report of which can be found under REPORTS AND WORKING PAPERS below.
    

Publications:

Recent and forthcoming outputs

Ellis, F. and E. Manda, 2012, ‘Seasonal Food Crises and Policy Responses: A Narrative Account of Three Food Security Crises in Malawi’, World Development, Vol.40, No.7, pp.1407–1417

Ellis, F., 2012, ‘“We Are All Poor Here”: Economic Difference, Social Divisiveness, and Targeting Cash Transfers in Sub-Saharan Africa’, Journal of Development Studies, Vol.48, No.2 pp.201-14

Ellis, F., S. Devereux and P. White, 2010, Frontiers of Social Protection Briefing Papers Nos.1-9, Johannesburg: Regional Hunger and Vulnerability Programme (RHVP), briefing papers available at: http://www.wahenga.net/briefs/fosp


Books

Ellis, F., S. Devereux and P. White, 2009, Social Protection in Africa, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar

Woldehanna, T., J. Hoddinott, F. Ellis and S. Dercon, 2008, Dynamics of Growth and Poverty in Ethiopia (1995/96-2004/05), Addis Ababa: Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, available at:
http://www.mofed.gov.et/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=73&Itemid=62

Ellis, F. and H.A. Freeman (eds), 2005, Rural Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction Policies, London: Routledge, 404 pp. 

Ellis, F., 2000, Rural Livelihoods and Diversity in Developing Countries, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 273 pp. 

Lipton, M., F. Ellis and M. Lipton (eds), 1996, Land, Labour and Livelihoods in Rural South Africa: Vol 2 Kwazulu-Natal and Northern Province, Durban: Indicator Press, 444 pp. 

Ellis, F., 1993, Peasant Economics: Farm Households and Agrarian Development, Cambridge University Press, 2nd edn. 309 pp. (translated into Chinese in 2006) 

Ellis, F., 1992, Agricultural Policies in Developing Countries, Cambridge University Press, 357 pp. 


Journal Papers

Ellis, F., 2011, ‘“We Are All Poor Here”: Economic Difference, Social Divisiveness, and Targeting Cash Transfers in Sub-Saharan Africa’, Journal of Development Studies, forthcoming
 

Sabates-Wheeler, R., T. Mitchell and F. Ellis, 2008, ‘Avoiding Repetition: Time for CBA to Engage with the Livelihoods Literature’, IDS Bulletin, Vol.39, No.4, pp.53-59

Ellis, F., 2006, ‘Agrarian Change and Rising Vulnerability in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa’, New Political Economy, Vol.11, No.3, pp.387-397

Iversen, V., O-H Fjeldstad, G. Bahiigwa, F. Ellis and R. James, 2006, ‘Private Tax Collection – Remnant of the Past or a Way Forward? Evidence from Rural Uganda’, Public Administration and Development, Vol.26, No.4, pp.317-328

Bahiigwa, G., N. Mdoe and F. Ellis, 2005, ‘Livelihoods Research Findings and Agriculture-led Growth’, IDS Bulletin, Vol.36, No.2

Ellis, F. and H.A. Freeman, 2004, ‘Rural Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction Strategies in Four African Countries’, Journal of Development Studies, Vol.40, No.4, pp.1-30

Freeman, H.A., F. Ellis and E. Allison, 2004, ‘Livelihoods and Rural Poverty Reduction in Kenya’, Development Policy Review, Vol.22., No.2, pp.147-173

Ellis, F., M. Kutengule and A. Nyasulu, 2003, ‘Rural Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction in Malawi’, World Development, Vol.31, No.9, September

Ellis, F. and N. Mdoe, 2003, ‘Rural Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction in Tanzania’, World Development, Vol.31, No.8, August

Ellis, F. and G. Bahiigwa, 2003, ‘Rural Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction in Uganda’, World Development, Vol.31, No.6, June

Ellis, F. and S. Biggs, 2001, ‘Evolving Themes in Rural Development 1950s-2000s’, Development Policy Review, Vol. 19, No.4, pp.437-448

Allison, E.H. and F. Ellis, 2001, ‘The Livelihoods Approach and Management of Small-Scale Fisheries’, Marine Policy, Vol.25, No.5, pp. 377-388

Ellis, F., 2000, ‘The Determinants of Rural Livelihood Diversification in Developing Countries’, Journal of Agricultural Economics, Vol.51, No.2, pp.289-302

Ellis, F., 1998, ‘Survey Article: Household Strategies and Rural Livelihood Diversification’, The Journal of Development Studies, Vol.35, No.1, pp.1-38

Ellis, F. and J. Sumberg, 1998, ‘Food Production, Urban Areas and Policy Responses’, World Development, Vol.26, No.2, pp.213-225

Ellis, F., P. Senanayake and M. Smith, 1997, ‘Food Price Policy in Sri Lanka’, Food Policy, Vol.22, No.1, pp.81-96

Ellis, F., 1993, ‘Private Trade and Public Role in Staple Food Marketing: The Case of Rice in Indonesia’, Food Policy, Vol.18, No.5, pp.428-438

Ellis, F., 1993, ‘Rice Marketing in Indonesia: Methodology and Results of a Research Study’, Bulletin of Indonesian Economic Studies, Vol.29, No.1, pp.105-123

Ellis, F., 1990, ‘The Rice Market and its Management in Indonesia’, IDS Bulletin, Vol.21, No.3, pp.44-51

Ellis, F., 1988, ‘Small-Farm Sugar Production in Fiji: Employment and Distribution Aspects’, IDS Bulletin, Vol.19, No.2, pp.47-53

Ellis, F., 1984, ‘Relative Agricultural Prices and the Urban Bias Model: A Comparative Analysis of Tanzania and Fiji’, The Journal of Development Studies, Vol.20, No.3, pp.28-51

Ellis, F., 1983, ‘Agricultural Marketing and Peasant-State Transfers in Tanzania’, Journal of Peasant Studies, Vol.10, No.4, pp.214-242

Ellis, F., 1982, ‘Prices and the Transformation of Peasant Agriculture: the Tanzanian Case’, IDS Bulletin, Vol.13, No.4, pp.66-72

Ellis, F., 1982, ‘Agricultural Price Policy in Tanzania’, World Development, Vol.10, No.4, pp.263-283


Book Chapters/Encyclopedia Entries

Ellis, F., 2010, ‘Strategic Dimensions of Rural Poverty Reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa’, Ch.3 in B. Harriss-White and J. Heyer (eds), The Comparative Political Economy of Development: Africa and South Asia, London: Routledge, pp.47-63

Ellis, F., 2006, entries on ‘Livelihoods Approach’, ‘Vulnerability and Coping’ and ‘Rural Poverty Reduction’ in D. Clarke (ed), The Elgar Companion to Development Studies, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar 

Ellis, F., 2005, ‘Sustainable Livelihoods’, in T. Forsyth (ed.), Encyclopedia of International Development, London and New York: Routledge, pp.668-9

Ellis, F. and H.A. Freeman, 2005, ‘Conceptual Framework and Overview of Themes’, Ch.1 in F. Ellis and H.A. Freeman (eds), Rural Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction Policies, London: Routledge, pp.3-15

Ellis, F. and H.A. Freeman, 2005, ‘Comparative Evidence from Four African Countries’, Ch.3 in F. Ellis and H.A. Freeman (eds), Rural Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction Policies, London: Routledge, pp.31-47

Freeman, H.A., and F. Ellis, 2005, ‘Implications of Livelihood Strategies for Agricultural Research: A Kenya Case-Study’, Ch.13 in F. Ellis and H.A. Freeman (eds), Rural Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction Policies, London: Routledge, pp.198-212

Freeman, H.A., and F. Ellis, 2005, ‘Synthesis and Policy Implications’, Ch.22 in F. Ellis and H.A. Freeman (eds), Rural Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction Policies, London: Routledge, pp.31-47

Ellis, F., 1998, ‘Livelihood Diversification and Sustainable Rural Livelihoods’, Ch.4 in D. Carney (ed), Sustainable Rural Livelihoods: What Contribution Can We Make?, London: Department for International Development, pp.53-65 

Ellis, F., 1993, ‘Food Security and Stabilisation of Rice Prices in Indonesia’, Ch.16 in P. Berck & D. Bigman (eds), Food Security and Food Inventories in Developing Countries, Wallingford: CAB International, pp.261-277 

Ellis, F., 1988, ‘Tanzania’, Ch.3 in C. Harvey (ed.), Agricultural Pricing Policy in Africa, London: Macmillan, pp.67-103 

Ellis, F., 1986, ‘Agricultural Price Policy in Tanzania’, Background Paper for World Bank, World Development Report 1986, Oxford University Press, 20 pp. 

Ellis, F., 1985, ‘Employment and Incomes in the Fiji Sugar Economy’, in H.C. Brookfield, F. Ellis and R.G. Ward, Land, Cane and Coconuts:  Papers on the Rural Economy of Fiji, Canberra:  Australian National University, pp.67-110 


Reports and Working Papers (downloadable PDF files)

Ellis, F., 2010, ‘Informal Social Protection in the Pacific: its Strengths and Weaknesses’, Theme Paper No.6, Review of Social Protection in the Pacific, Canberra: Australian Agency for International Development (AusAid), December

Kidd, S., M. Samson, F. Ellis, N. Freeland and B. Wyler, 2010, Pacific Social Protection: A Review of its Adequacy and Role in Addressing Poverty, Canberra: Australian Agency for International Development (AusAid), February

Ellis, F., S. Devereux and P. White, 2010, Frontiers of Social Protection Briefing Papers Nos.1-9, Johannesburg: Regional Hunger and Vulnerability Programme (RHVP), briefing papers available at: http://www.wahenga.net/briefs/fosp

Devereux, S., F. Ellis and P. White, 2008, Social Transfer Thematic Briefs Nos.1-8, Regional Hunger and Vulnerability Programme (RHVP), April, briefing papers available at: http://www.wahenga.net/briefs/thematic

Ellis, F., 2007, Social Transfer Case-Studies Nos.1-20, Regional Hunger and Vulnerability Programme (RHVP), Pretoria, November, briefing papers available at: http://www.wahenga.net/briefs/case_study

Ellis, F., S. Ssewanyana, B. Kebede and E. Allison, 2006, Patterns and Changes in Rural Livelihoods in Uganda 2001-05: Findings of the LADDER 2 Project, Kampala: Economic Policy Research Centre, May

Ellis, F., 2006, Review Paper on Community Coping, Vulnerability and Social Protection, Paper prepared for the DFID Regional Hunger and Vulnerability Programme, February, pp.25, also available at:
http://www.wahenga.net/uploads/documents/reports/Review_paper_on_SP_060329.pdf

Cross, S. and F. Ellis, 2006, Local Government Taxation Reform in Tanzania: A Poverty and Social Impact Analysis, Report No: 34900-TZ, Social Development Department, Washington D.C.: World Bank, also available at:
http://web.worldbank.org/ - search ‘social development’ and publications link

Ellis, F. and T. Woldehanna, 2005, Ethiopia Participatory Poverty Assessment 2004-05, Addis Ababa: Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED), October, pp.73, also available at:
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTETHIOPIA/Resources/ppa_ethiopia.pdf

Ellis, F., 2005, ‘Small-Farms, Livelihood Diversification and Rural-Urban Transitions: Strategic Issues in Sub-Saharan Africa’, in International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), The Future of Small Farms: Proceedings of a Research Workshop, Wye, UK, June 26-29, Washington, DC: IFPRI, pp.17, also available at:
http://www.ifpri.org/events/seminars/2005/20050626SmallFarms.htm

Ellis, F., 2005, Occupational Diversification in Developing Countries and the Implications for Agricultural Policy, Paper prepared for the OECD Development Assistance Committee, Network on Poverty Reduction, Rome, March, pp.28

Ellis F. and E.H. Allison, 2005, ‘Linking livelihood diversification to natural resources in a poverty reduction context’, Livelihoods Support Programme Briefing Notes, Rome: FAO, pp.4

Ellis F. and E.H. Allison, 2004, Livelihood diversification and natural resource access, Working Paper No.9, Livelihood Support Programme, Rome: FAO pp.50, also available at:
http://www.fao.org/sd/dim_pe4/pe4_050502_en.htm

Ellis, F. and N. Harris, 2004, New Thinking About Urban and Rural Development, Keynote Paper for DFID Sustainable Livelihoods Retreat, July, pp.26, also available at:
http://www.livelihoods.org/hot_topics/docs/UR_Ellis&Harris.doc

Bahiigwa, G., F. Ellis, O-H Fjeldstad and V. Iversen, 2004, Rural Taxation in Uganda: Implications for Growth, Income Distribution, Local Government Revenue and Poverty Reduction, Research Series No.35, Kampala: Economic Policy Research Centre, pp.34, also available at: http://www.eprc.or.ug/researchpapers.php

Ellis, F., 2003, Human Vulnerability and Food Insecurity: Policy Implications, Forum for Food Security in Southern Africa (FFSSA), London: Overseas Development Institute, August, pp.40, also available at:
http://www.odi.org.uk/Food-Security-Forum/Publications.html

Ellis, F., 2003, A Livelihoods Approach to Migration and Poverty Reduction, Paper Commissioned by DFID Migration Policy Team, October, pp.21, also available at:
http://www.livelihoods.org/hot_topics/docs/migrationandpoverty.doc

Frank Ellis has stopped doing formal teaching in the School, but continues to give guest lectures to taught postgraduate students on topics of rural livelihoods, vulnerability, food security and social protection.

In the period 2008-11, the following 8 research students supervised by Frank Ellis obtained their PhDs: Alessandro de Matteis, Rob Grant, Sumbye Kapena, Masahiro Kawamura, Dyton Maliro, Elizabeth Manda, Kerstin Pfleigner and Elizabeth Westaway.