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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
ZEF protests against government's cuts in development-related training programs and university partnerships
The German government has resorted to a number of austerity measures affecting various areas of society, including higher education and development cooperation.
ZEF is among the institutions severely affected by government cuts in development-related training programs and university partnerships.
Roughly half of ZEF's doctoral alumni have received funding over the past 30 years through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD EPOS), one of the programs affected by the cuts.
Many of these alumni have taken on leading positions in government administration or universities in their home countries or in international development or research organizations.
Therefore, ZEF is part of a growing network-driven movement protesting against these cuts.
Malabo Montpellier Panel presents new report on Agrifood Systems and Employment Expansion Across Africa
KIGALI, July 8, 2026 – The Panel’s 18th report argues that agrifood systems are central to Africa’s employment challenge yet also offer a major pathway to its solution. Launched on July 8, 2026 at the Malabo Montpellier Forum, the publication demonstrates that agrifood systems can generate the productive jobs needed for Africa’s rapidly growing youth population, provided the right policies are in place to accelerate transformation and ensure these jobs are productive, resilient, and accessible to all.
Summer School on “Rethinking Sustainability: Interdisciplinary Approaches and Practical Challenges”
The one-week Summer School was organized by ZEF and the Staff Unit for the Bonn Research Alliance (BORA) at the University of Bonn in collaboration with the St Andrews Centre for Critical Sustainabilities (StACCS) at the University of St Andrews, UK.
ZEF co-hosted Early-Career Symposium 2026 "Fractured Connections in the Caribbean"
The Society for Caribbean Research (SOCARE) 2026 Early-Career Symposium brought together scholars from across the Americas, Europe, and the Caribbean to explore the region's complex histories, cultures, and futures.
Latest BIGS-DR News
Vincent Moseti successfully defends his doctoral thesis on Road infrastructure development in Kenya
Vincent Moseti (ZEF LAND) successfully defended his doctoral thesis on "Road infrastructure development in Kenya: Political incentives, economic responses and environmental impacts". His doctoral degree was granted by the Faculty of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Engineering of the University of Bonn.
His doctoral research was supervised by Prof. Dr. Lisa Biber-Freudenberger and Prof. Dr. Jan Boerner.
Abdul Haseeb Azizi successfully defends his thesis on Water and Snow Storage Dynamics in Afghanistan
ZEF researcher Abdul Haseeb Azizi (ZEF ECOL) obtained his doctoral degree (Dr.-Ing) for his doctoral thesis on "Water and Snow Storage Dynamics in Afghanistan: Coupling Ground Observations, Remote Sensing, Machine Learning, and Hydrological Modeling". His degree was granted by the Faculty of Agriculture, Nutritional Sciences and Engineering University of Bonn, Germany.
Supervision and tutoring
Abdul Haseeb's primary supervisor was Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Kusche (University of Bonn), his co-supervisor was Prof. Dr. Christian Borgemeister (ZEF, University of Bonn). His tutors were Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Tischbein (ZEF, University of Bonn) and Dr.-Ing. Fazlullah Akhtar (ZEF, University of Bonn), who also gave scientific guidance and support throughout the PhD journey.
Sarah Velander graduates on role of science–policy interfaces in the UNCCD
Sara Velander (ZEF LAND) defended her doctoral thesis on “Science-Policy Interfaces Navigating Complex Governance Systems: Institutional Collaboration and Knowledge Uptake for Coherent and Sustainable Land Use”
Her degree was granted by FB 06 - the Faculty of Education and Social Sciences / University of Münster under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Thomas Dietz (Primary supervisor, IfPol, University of Münster) and Prof. Dr. Christian Borgemeister (Secondary supervisor, Director at ZEF).
Tamegnon Hospice Tossou successfully defended his doctoral thesis on how to control the Fall Armyworm in Benin
Tamegnon Hospice Tossou (ZEF ECOL) successfully defended his thesis on "Endophytic fungus (Beauveria bassiana) for the control of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) attacking maize in Benin, West Africa".
His degree was granted by the University of Bonn's Faculty of Agricultural, Nutritional and Engineering Sciences. His supervisor was Prof. Dr. Christian Borgemeister and his tutor Dr. Jan Henning Sommer.
ZEF Research Projects
ZEF is running interdisciplinary research projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Upcoming Events
ZEF Public Lecture: Research Evidence to Policy Action
ZEF, Genscherallee 3, ...
01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
About the speaker:
Dr. Gaston Sorgho MD, MPH, PhD served as the World Bank Group's Practice Manager overseeing health, nutrition, and population programs in ...