Center for Development Research (ZEF)
ZEF is an international institute conducting interdisciplinary research on development-related issues all over the world. ZEF is part of the University of Bonn.
© Stellmacher/ZEF
International Doctoral Program (BIGS-DR)
ZEF hosts the Bonn International Graduate School for Development Research
© Pereira/ZEF
Research with the Global South
Our researchers conduct their (field) research in close collaboration with local partners from academia, policy and practice.
© Dürr/ZEF
Center for Development Research (ZEF)
International Doctoral Program (BIGS-DR)
Research with the Global South

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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
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Valentine Opanga obtains doctoral degree for research on Nairobi's political ecology and governance of green spaces
Valentine Opanga, junior researcher with ZEF’s research group on Cultural and Political Change (ZEF CPC), defended her doctoral thesis on “The Political Ecology and Governance of Green spaces in Nairobi’s Informal Settlements” successfully today. She obtained her doctoral degree from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Bonn. Her research was supervised by Professor Detlef Mueller-Mahn (Geography Department, Bonn University) and Professor Eva Youkhana (group leader ZEF CPC).
Feb 09, 2026
© Uni Bonn
Gretchen Gonzaga defended her doctoral thesis on Post-disaster recovery in the Philippine periphery
Gretchen Gonzaga (ZEF's research group on Cultural and Political Change, ZEF CPC) defended her doctoral thesis on “Post-Disaster Recovery in the Philippine Periphery: An Anthropological Approach to the Experiences of Sea-Oriented Indigenous Peoples”. Her doctoral degree was granted by the Faculty of Arts, Bonn University.  Gretchen’s supervisor was Prof. Eva Youkhana (ZEF CPC), her advisor and reviewer was Prof. Christoph Antweiler, second reviewer was Prof. Kristina Großmann and additional member of the examination committee was Prof. Carmen Brandt.  Her tutor was Dr. Dennis Lucy Aviles Irahola (associated ZEF senior researcher)
Feb 02, 2026
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Ana Maria Perez Arredondo graduates on "Holistic Health Approaches in Ghana"
Ana Maria Perez Arredondo, ZEF researcher with ZEF’s Division on Ecology and Natural Resources Management (ECOL) defended her doctoral thesis titled “Holistic Health Approaches in Ghana. Essays on the evolution and institutionalization of the One Health concept, the social and environmental determinants of health, and the determinants of technological change” successfully on January 29, 2026. 
Jan 29, 2026
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Philipo Jacob Mtweve defends doctoral thesis on Road Infrastructure Development in Sub-Saharan Africa
Philipo Jacob Mtweve (ZEF ECOL) obtained his doctoral degree from the Faculty of Agricultural, Nutritional and Engineering Sciences of the University of Bonn on January 21, 2026. “The choice is not whether to build roads in Sub-Saharan Africa, but where and how. This endeavor is demanding evidence-based frameworks that integrate biodiversity conservation with rural development imperatives”, says Philipo about his doctoral research, which he concluded today with a successful defense. 
Jan 21, 2026
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ZEF Research Projects

ZEF is running interdisciplinary research projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America. 

Upcoming Events
© Jochen Dürr
Wednesday Feb 11, 2026
Online communication throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia
ZEF (Genscherallee 3, ...
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
This dissertation research titled "Online communication and mobilization throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: The case of the Colombian non-governmental sector" ...