Dominant theories in the social sciences assume that many individual decisions and behaviors are strongly driven by a set of fundamental behavioral parameters. These parameters include, for instance, a variety of preferences, such as those about risk, patience and social concerns, beliefs and cognitive biases. The existing literature has focused on developed countries, but less is known about individual-level variation, its causes, and its consequences in less developed countries. A particular knowledge gap concerns individual decision making in the face of fundamental risk and uncertainty. Using bespoke experimental and observational techniques, ISDC analyses how individuals make social and economic decisions in developing countries, especially in the face and aftermath of political violence or disaster.