Following the changing nature of poverty over long periods of time and exploring the causes of change, is a vital area of inquiry into understanding poverty but few researchers have the luxury to engage in such activity. Members of CEPA’s research team rereading the various village studies published in the 1970s and 1980s realised the potential of these seminal works as a baseline for a poverty over-time study. Initial scoping of these villages show that today they have changed almost beyond recognition. The CEPA team is currently conceptualizing the study which will focus on changes in nature of poverty in these villages over the 30 year period and the critical causes of change. Complementing the poverty over time study, a parallel discussion will be generated on methodology over time.