Supervision of bachelor and master theses
We offer supervision of bachelor's and master's theses in the fields of agricultural economics, development economics, and environmental economics. We supervise both systematic literature reviews and empirical studies (e.g., based on survey data, experiments, or secondary data).
In order to tailor the topic to the individual background as best as possible, we expect:
- Students to work reliably, with commitment and motivation.
- Please send us a transcript of records including an overview of the modules you have completed so far.
- Goal: To tailor the topic to the individual background of the student.
If you are interested in writing a thesis, please send a short introduction and details of your areas of interest by email to tim.oelkers@hu-berlin.de. We will then be happy to share a list of possible topics with you. Students are also encouraged to propose their own research topic.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Selected Topics for Bachelor’s and Master’s Theses
- Determinants of Agricultural Innovation Adoption
This thesis examines technical, organizational, knowledge-based, and institutional factors influencing the adoption of agricultural innovations. The analysis is based on survey data from the GIZ Green Innovation Centres, collected multiple times across several countries.
Contact: Anna Maria Mader (anna.maria.mader@hu-berlin.de), Tim Ölkers (tim.oelkers@hu-berlin.de) - Microfinance and climate change
The thesis investigates how extreme weather events impact financial behaviour of microfinance clients. The focus is not only on micro credit but also on micro saving and insurance.
Contact: Anna Maria Mader (anna.maria.mader@hu-berlin.de) - Cooperative Behaviour
The thesis analyses gender differences in cooperative behaviour and how they have evolved over the past decade. The study uses data from first-year student surveys conducted in Göttingen and Halle over ten years.
Contact: Oliver Mußhoff (oliver.musshoff@hu-berlin.de) - The Role of Sleep in Agricultural Productivity in India
This study examines how sleep duration and quality affect the productivity of smallholder dairy farmers around Bangalore. The analysis is based on household survey data and smartwatch-based sleep measurements.
Contact: Oliver Mußhoff (oliver.musshoff@hu-berlin.de) - Microfinance (Credit)
This thesis investigates credit access and repayment behaviour among agricultural enterprises in the Global South (e.g., Madagascar, Mali, Tanzania) to derive recommendations for financial institutions.
Contact: Tim Ölkers (tim.oelkers@hu-berlin.de) - Microfinance (Saving)
This thesis investigates saving behaviour among agricultural and non-agricultural microfinance clients in the Global South (e.g., Benin, Senegal) to derive recommendations for financial institutions.
Contact: Tim Ölkers (tim.oelkers@hu-berlin.de) - Managing Weather Risks in Agricultural Microfinance
The thesis develops and evaluates an index-based weather insurance product for a microfinance institution in Madagascar. The analysis is based on credit portfolio and weather data.
Contact: Tim Ölkers (tim.oelkers@hu-berlin.de), Oliver Mußhoff (oliver.musshoff@hu-berlin.de) - Analysis of the German agricultural land markets
The thesis examines factors influencing land prices and ownership structures in Germany. The analysis is based on administrative and market data covering recent years.
Contact: Oliver Mußhoff (oliver.musshoff@hu-berlin.de) - Environmental Economics in Agriculture
The thesis investigates the economic impacts of sustainable land and resource management in Germany or the Global South. The analysis draws on data from agricultural surveys and environmental assessments (e.g., satellite data).
Contact: Anna Maria Mader (anna.maria.mader@hu-berlin.de), Tim Ölkers (tim.oelkers@hu-berlin.de), Oliver Mußhoff (oliver.musshoff@hu-berlin.de) - Possibilities of paludiculture – individual farm profitability analysis and integration into the value chain
The focus will be on paludiculture. The following questions, which could be addressed individually or collectively in a thesis, appear particularly relevant:
1. Is paludiculture profitable from an individual farm perspective on (re-wet) moorland sites under current conditions? To what extent would conditions need to change?
2. How can value chains for paludiculture look? What changes from the status quo should be aimed for in order to increase the opportunities for paludiculture?
Contact: Oliver Mußhoff (oliver.musshoff@hu-berlin.de), Marius Michels (marius.michels@agr.uni-goettingen.de) - Own Topics
Students are also welcome to propose their own ideas and concepts for Bachelor’s or Master’s theses.
Contact: Anna Maria Mader (anna.maria.mader@hu-berlin.de), Tim Ölkers (tim.oelkers@hu-berlin.de), Oliver Mußhoff (oliver.musshoff@hu-berlin.de)