The chair supervises bachelor and master theses in the field of development economics. Generally, all prerequisites according to the “Studienordnung” must be fulfilled. Before a bachelor thesis, the candidate should have visited a seminar at the chair as well as the course “Growth and Development”. Before a master thesis a specialized class and also a seminar should have been visited. Exceptions from these rules are possible, if expertise and motivation can be otherwise proven.

Interested students should reach out to a chair member or the chair holder as early as possible in order to discuss a topic and to ensure the effective planning of supervision capacities.

Ideally, the candidate brings some ideas and a short sketch, which describes research problem, method and approach as well as expected results. The sketch serves only as basis for discussion. It is also possible to connect bachelor or master thesis with a relevant internship. Empirical work is encouraged and will be respectively supported. The thesis can be written in English or German. Current projects running at the chair can be a source of inspiration. Under certain circumstances it is also possible so integrate students within the project or provide access to project data.

PARIS21 (Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century) is a global data partnership that supports the production and use of statistics for a better life, especially in poor countries and fragile states. PARIS21 is hosted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Prof. Dr. Johannes Jütting, Honorarprofessor an der Universität Passau und Executive Head von PARIS21, Honorary Professor at the University of Passau and Executive Head of PARIS21, offers the following topics for Master and Bachelor theses:

• Does more and better climate change data lead to more effective climate change adaptation policies and interventions at the national level?
• Have data-driven Voluntary National Reviews contributed to identifying climate change priorities and solutions at the country level? 
• Is data openness leading to a greater use of data in national policies? – a cross regional analysis
• Are the global commitments (e.g., 2030 Agenda, Paris Agreement) driving the use of climate change data for policymaking at the national level? 
• What are the results of signing multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) (e.g., Biodiversity, Desertification, Climate Change)? Is there evidence that signing MEAs has contributed to mobilising solutions on the ground, or MEAs only impose a reporting burden on countries? 
• How can climate change data influence investments on climate adaptation projects in developing countries? 
• How to measure and document the socioeconomic impacts of carbon credits in developing countries with a low carbon footprint? 
• How can the private sector contribute and benefit from a broader use of climate change data for decision-making?
• How do civil society organizations contribute to the wider development, use and analysis of climate change data for national policymaking? 
• To what extent and in which ways can better climate change information and data influence consumer/citizen behavior to drive demand-driven responses and reduce climate change impacts?

Complete List with further details

If you are interested in any of these topics, please write an e-mail to Prof. Dr. Johannes Jütting with a short note of motivation.