ZEF’s research strategy
ZEF conducts research on themes relevant to sustainable and human development, collaborates with a network of international scientists, in particular from and in developing countries, and educates a new generation of scientists for the developing world through its doctoral studies program.

ZEF’s research activities have been designed along three core areas: Economic development and technological change; Ecology and the management of natural resource; and Political and cultural change. In accordance with these three research areas, ZEF organizes its academic work in three correspondent research departments.

ZEF’s research approach: Inter and transdisciplinarity
ZEF’s research concept is inter and trans-disciplinary. Interdisciplinary research is conducted in the larger research initiatives, in which social, economic and natural scientists cooperate closely on research issues. ZEF also strives for a trans-disciplinary research approach, which means to bridge the gap(s) between scientific disciplines, between research and policy and between research and practice.
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ZEF’s core research themes
ZEF’s core research themes are science policy; governance; water resources; land use and food security; renewable energy; environmental and climate change; mobility and migration; health and sanitation.

ZEF’s disciplinary capabilities
Disciplinary research conducted in ZEF’s research departments and by ZEF’s doctoral students support the core research.
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