Notice
Check our upcoming events here.
Center for Development Research
The Center for Development Research (ZEF) is an institute of the University of Bonn, Germany. It started its research activities in 1997. ZEF researchers aim to find science-based solutions to promote sustainable development and planetary health. ZEF’s research divisions and groups conduct inter- and trans-disciplinary research in, for and with emerging economies and on global issues with its collaborating research partners around the world. ZEF educates and trains international doctoral students in its Doctoral Studies Program. ZEF is guided by an International Advisory Board.
Latest News
Christopher Tobe Okolo graduated about the potential of using indigenous entomopathogenic nematodes
Christopher Tobe Okolo defended his doctoral thesis on Identification, Virulence and Ecological Characterization of Indigenous Entomopathogenic Nematodes as Biological Control Agents Against Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in Nigeria.
His doctoral degree was granted by the Faculty of Agricultural, Nutritional and Engineering Sciences, University of Bonn
His First Supervisor was Prof. Dr Christian Borgemeister, his Second Supervisor was Prof. Dr Florian Grundler (support with lab facilities at Molecular Phytomedicine MPM- INRES), whereas Prof. Dr. Joachim von Braun chaired his examination committee and Prof. Dr. Lisa Biber-Freudenberger was an Expert member of the Examination committee.
Apply now!
Are you enthusiastic about analyzing and promoting sustainable development? And do you have a creative research idea related to sustainable food systems, agriculture, nutrition, health, climate change, biodiversity, migration, governance, and conflict?
The Center for Development Research (ZEF) at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn is the best place for you to do such research.
Mayra Espinosa graduated on "Online communication and mobilization throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia"
Mayra Alejandra Martin Espinosa defended her thesis on “Online communication and mobilization throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: The case of the Colombian non-governmental sector and their target populations in shaping transformative action”.
Her doctoral degree was granted by the Faculty of Arts at the University of Bonn.
Her Supervisor and First Reviewer was Prof. Dr. Eva Youkhana. Members of the Examination Committee were: Prof. Dr. Kristina Großmann (Head), Prof. Dr. Anna Katharina-Hornidge (Second Reviewer) and Prof. Dr. Gesa Birnkraut (External Member).
Bridging science and society to tackle emerging infectious diseases
Where and how do arbovirus-transmitted diseases emerge, and how are they related to biodiversity loss, climate change, and changes in land use? This is a question that the ArboEmerge research project has been exploring and attempting to answer. ArboEmerge stands for 'Consequences of biodiversity loss and land use change on infectious disease emergence', and comprises a research consortium of ZEF, Charité – Berlin, the Uganda Virus Research Institute and Makerere University.
In February 2026, the project organized its final dissemination workshops in the locations where data had been collected. The workshops were attended by high-level representatives of ministries, research facilities and non-governmental organizations.
ZEF Research Projects
ZEF is running interdisciplinary research projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Upcoming Events
INTERFACES colloquium Strengthening rice farmers' resilience
Online
04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
In Senegal, agricultural production is affected by increasing land degradation – i.e. in the Senegal River valley, an important rice-growing area. The main ...
Public lecture: Rice Innovation for Food Systems Transformation
ZEF, Genscherallee 3, ...
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
This ZEF public lecture will present the International Rice Research Institute’s 2025–2030 Strategy, which sets a clear direction for transforming rice-based ...