The Center for Development Research (ZEF) is an interdisciplinary research institute with a focus on development issues. ZEF runs research projects in Asia, Africa and Latin America. In their blogs our researchers report about their work such as projects, conferences, scientific publications, field research, talks and other milestones. Authors express their own opinions, and ideas …
The new year comes with updated New Year resolutions. And the question whether I have really fully read all the books from my previous 2018 reading list? Well… almost :-). My training and learning curve of 2018 rose steeply due to inspiring readings, exiting conference panels, and field research in Abidjan [Website]. In summer I …
Upon our return from South Africa,Christmas was just around the corner and it was that time of the year when you see a mad Santa hanging outside of windows. It was also that time of the year when our beautiful city usually gets filled with beautiful markets and decorations. It was also that time of …
We left Howick and spent the last couple of nights for us in South Africa in St Lucia with the aim of exploring the Isimangaliso Wetland Reserve. The road trip to St.Lucia was scenic and beautiful. I loved the sights of the Jacaranda tress scattered all over the hilly roads. We were told upon our arrival …
On the 18th of July the world celebrated the 100th birthday of the great inspirational leader, Nelson Mandela. Madiba lived a remarkable life; a life devoted to fight for black rights, and campaigned against the laws that kept white and black people apart (apartheid) that led him to be imprisoned for 27 years. A worldwide …
This blog post was written by Cory Whitney and Anna Yuwen “The pen is mightier than the sword” (Bulwer-Lytton, 1896) is the age-old adage that highlights the power of writing. But if writing becomes muddled and unclear, does its power begin to fade? The adage emphasizes the value of communication: language that is inaccessible tends …
Reposts on Facebook and one of the biggest humanitarian crises yet faced by the Central American Region By Maryoriet R.Salgado, junior researcher at ZEF I woke up today, to several reposts on facebook, as it usually happens after any crisis event. Coming from Honduras, it is not an uncommon phenomenon, it may only vary on …
On September 5, 2018 Cory Whitney took part of in an expert panel at the Welthungerhilfe, in Bonn, Germany, to help create awareness about the need for holistic and inclusive research methods. On behalf of ZEF he presented a call for more transdisciplinarity in Agroecology. The presentation was based on a recently published paper in …
Marwa was train hopping from Bonn to Beautiful Ghent the other day ,yet on another insects related trip. Tropentag 2018 just took place on the 17th to the 19th of September and this time it was hosted by the University of Ghent in Ghent, Belgium. For those wondering what Tropentag is, it’s the “Annual interdisciplinary …
Despite its dragons, dire wolves and white walkers, the Game of Thrones world isn’t quite as make-believe as it may seem. In fact, its capital, King’s Landing, is almost entirely filmed in the very real—and very beautiful—city of Dubrovnik, Croatia. Well, I happen to have visited Dubrovnik recently and while many people flock every summer to this …
The Taita Hills, located in southeastern Kenya, comprise several mountain chains that rise dramatically from the savannah lowlands up to 2,228 m above sea level. It’s an amazing biodiversity hotspot. The Hills are home to many endemic plant and animal species that cannot be found anywhere else in Kenya or indeed the world. Once covered …