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Final Theses

We offer supervision for students that show interest in our group's research topics on both the bachelor and master levels. If you are interested in writing a final thesis under supervision of our group, please make sure to read the following document before contacting us:

Information/advice for your final thesis

We would also like you to familiarize yourself with the specific information listed under the "Bachelor Theses" and "Master Theses" tabs below.

Please note that we are a small research group and at times we might therefore be unable to satisfy all requests for thesis supervision.

Bachelor Theses

The recent high amount of supervision requests force us to follow somewhat stricter principles in accepting students for a bachelor thesis with our research group.

We only sometimes list preformulated topic recommendations for bachelor theses (see below). However, we require prospective thesis writers to have at least completed our bachelor level course "Umweltökonomik" and ideally also a seminar offered by our research group. In that way we can expect interested students to have a sound idea about topics that could be potentially interesting for us to supervise. All prospective bachelor thesis writers who would like to write their thesis on an original topic are kindly expected to formulate at least a basic research exposé on the idea. The topic should be thematically related to the topics covered in our bachelor courses and seminars.

Apart from the topic itself, the research methodology that is planned to be applied in the thesis should be rooted in economics methodology. As an example, systematic literature reviews are acceptable if they cover a topic interesting to us, if the topic "only" has a connection to our research group through the more general concept of "sustainability" but is in fact more rooted in the fields of e.g., business administration and/or finance, we will likely redirect you to a more fitting research group.

Currently, we are not listing topic proposals for bachelor theses. However, you can of course still apply proactively in accordance with the information above.

Master Theses

Master students can also propose original ideas. However, we like to incorporate master students into our research projects by having them write their master theses on topics related to those projects. We therefore ask master students to take a look at our research projects page. If there is a project that is particularly interesting to you, you can write an e-mail directly to the contact person(s) mentioned on the respective page.

We also maintain a list of potential thesis topics, most of which are related to the research projects mentioned above. Here you can find a list of currently available tops:

Consumer Trust in Eco-Labels and Spillover Effects Between Labels

Supervisor: Dr Tobias Vorlaufer
Working Group ‘Governance of Ecosystem Services’
Background
Eco-labels, such as the EU organic label, are regarded as a critical leverage point for promoting sustainable agricultural practices in Germany and across Europe. At the same time there is a significant increase in the number of both private eco-labels and other labelling approaches, including those focused on nutrition values and animal welfare. This proliferation of labels may ultimately lead to consumer confusion, resulting in a decreased willingness to pay for labelled products. Furthermore, the emergence of numerous private labelling initiatives may erode consumers' general trust in labels, particularly if they become aware of non-compliance issues or perceive the standards to be weak. Such negative spillover effects can subsequently diminish the willingness to pay for products carrying even the most stringent labels.
Research aims
The proposed research aims to provide an overview on the scientific evidence on the interaction between different labels (both within one realm and between different realms) and explore to which extent negative spillover effects may undermine the trust in labelled products.
Research questions
• How do consumers perceive the abundance of eco-labels, private labels, and other labelling approaches in the agricultural sector? Does it affect their willingness-to-pay?
• To what extent do negative spillover effects from private labelling initiatives impact consumer trust in more stringent labels?
Research approach/methods
• Literature review to summarize findings on consumer trust, willingness to pay, and the impact of labelling proliferation and identify gaps in the current research and
• Develop and implement a survey experiment with consumers to test the impact of label proliferation and negative spillover effects on consumer trust and behaviour.
Starting points
Gorton, Matthew, Barbara Tocco, Ching-Hua Yeh, and Monika Hartmann. 2021. ‘What Determines Consumers’ Use of Eco-Labels? Taking a Close Look at Label Trust’. Ecological Economics 189 (November):107173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2021.107173.
Sonntag, Winnie Isabel, Dominic Lemken, Achim Spiller, and Maureen Schulze. 2023. ‘Welcome to the (Label) Jungle? Analyzing How Consumers Deal with Intra-Sustainability Label Trade-Offs on Food’. Food Quality and Preference 104 (March):104746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2022.104746.
Requirements
• Student in economics, agricultural economics, human geography, or related fields of study, currently registered at a university in Germany or abroad
• A good knowledge of both English and/or German is required
• Solid knowledge of quantitative data analysis (statistics)
• Interest in scientific work, prior experience with scientific work is of advantage
We offer
• Being part of an international and interdisciplinary research team
• A friendly working environment, which encourages independent and self-reliant work
• (Co-)Supervision of the master's thesis will be provided by ZALF staff.
For further information and/or to submit your application in German or English as a PDF file, please send an email to: tobias.vorlaufer@zalf.de
Research Proposal: The Impact of Marine Protected Areas on Fishing Practices, Rule Enforcement, Sustainability, and Economic Outcomes

Research Question: "How do Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) influence fishing practices, rule enforcement, and the economic outcomes of fishermen in the Philippines?"

Sub-Questions:
1. Fishing Practices:
- How have MPAs affected fishing practices, such as gear usage, net sizes, and target species?
- Are there significant differences in fishing methods between fishermen operating within MPAs and those outside MPAs?
2. Rule Enforcement:
- How effective are enforcement mechanisms within MPAs compared to non-MPA areas?
- What is the level of compliance with fishing regulations (e.g., mesh size restrictions, no-take zones) within MPAs?
3. Economic Outcomes:
- What is the impact of MPAs on the income and economic stability of fishermen?
- How does the effectiveness of rule enforcement within MPAs correlate with fishermen's income?
4. Sustaining Fishing Stocks:
- How do fishermen perceive the impact of MPAs on sustaining fish stocks?
- Is there a measurable difference in fish stock levels between areas with and without MPAs?
Methodology:
Data Collection:
Survey Data:
-Use existing survey data from 800 fishermen to analyze responses related to fishing practices, income, perceptions of rule enforcement, and views on fish stock sustainability.
Quantitative Analysis:
- Descriptive Statistics:
- Analyze the distribution of responses regarding fishing practices, income levels, compliance with MPA regulations, and perceptions of fish stock sustainability.
- Metrics: frequency, mean, median, standard deviation.
Comparative Analysis:
- Compare fishing practices, compliance levels, and income between fishermen operating within MPAs and those outside MPAs.
- Statistical Tests: T-tests for differences in means, Chi-square tests for categorical data.
Correlation and Regression Analysis:
-Investigate the relationships between rule enforcement effectiveness, compliance levels, and fishermen’s income.
- Models: Linear regression for continuous outcomes (e.g., income), logistic regression for binary outcomes (e.g., compliance).
Determinants of Information Avoidance in Climate Change Communication

Your task will be to investigate the determinants of information avoidance related to climate change communication among residents in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. You will analyze experimental data to identify the key factors influencing individuals' decisions to avoid climate change information.
· Conduct a review of existing literature on information avoidance, particularly in the context of climate change communication.
· Identify psychological, social, and environmental factors that have been previously associated with information avoidance behaviors.
· Analyze the experimental data to quantify the extent of information avoidance among participants.
· Use statistical methods (e.g., OLS regression) to identify and evaluate the factors influencing information avoidance, such as trust in information sources, perceived threat, and social capital.
Information Sharing and Its Determinants in Climate Change Communication

Your task will be to explore the determinants of information sharing behavior related to climate change communication among residents in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. You will analyze experimental data to understand the key factors that motivate individuals to share climate change information.
· Conduct a review of existing literature on information sharing, especially in the context of climate change communication.
· Identify psychological, social, and environmental factors that have been previously associated with information sharing behaviors.
· Analyze the experimental data to quantify the extent of information sharing among participants.

· Use statistical methods (e.g., OLS regression) to identify and evaluate the factors influencing information sharing, such as perceived threat, trust in information sources, and social capital.
Economic Impact of Typhoon Haiyan on Household Income and Occupational Stability

Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines in November 2013, was one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded. It caused extensive damage to infrastructure, livelihoods, and the economy. Understanding the economic impact on households in affected areas can provide insights into the vulnerabilities and resilience of communities facing such natural disasters.
Research Question: How did Typhoon Haiyan affect household income and occupational stability in affected areas of the Philippines? One focus can be on fishery.
· analyze the changes in household income levels before and after Typhoon Haiyan.
· investigate the impact of the typhoon on occupational stability and job security.
· identify the economic coping strategies employed by households in response to the disaster.
Perform a difference-in-differences analysis to compare household income and occupation data before and after the typhoon including economic coping mechanisms (e.g., borrowing, asset sales).
The Role of Social Networks and Cooperative Practices in Enhancing Resilience among Fishermen Post-Typhoon Haiyan

How do social networks and cooperative practices among fishermen influence their resilience and economic recovery following Typhoon Haiyan?
· identify the structure and extent of social networks among fishermen in the surveyed villages.
· analyze the impact of these social networks on economic recovery and resilience post-typhoon.
· investigate the role of cooperative practices in providing support and sharing resources among fishermen.
Summarize the characteristics of the fishing partners (e.g., duration of the relationship, frequency of fishing together, shared resources). Assess the impact of social networks on economic recovery indicators. For instance, investigate whether fishermen with stronger social networks have higher income stability and better access to resources.
Assessing the role of path-dependencies on altruistic donations to future generations in an intergenerational behavioural game

In this Master thesis, we expect the student to analyze data from an empirical field experiment. The experiment was intended to simulate critical choices of local communities with regard to climate change adaptation. Adapting to climate change has implications on a large number of people over long time horizons. We are interested in how a habitual focus on what has worked in the past (a behavioural path-dependency) affects altruistic actions for future generations. We test whether people overly invest in collective measures for future generations even when an alternative individual solution is as cost-effective (requires no coordination, trying to solve collectively could lead to waste of resources). Secondly, we want to test to what degree people waste resources by making individual investments for future generations in a situation where collective measures are more cost-effective.
For writing this thesis, the student is expected to provide a literature review on behavioural path-dependencies in the context of sustainable development processes. She/he shall develop with support of the supervisor a methodological approach to analyse experiment data collected in Namibia in 2023. The student is expected to conduct the analysis using STATA and interpret the results in the light of the aforementioned research questions.

This thesis is related to our working group’s ongoing research project on Social Climate Change Impacts and Sustainability Innovations in Southern Africa and Northern South America (NISANSA). For more details, please contact Dr. Thomas Falk, falkt@staff.uni-marburg.de
Summary:
- An experimental study on behavioural path-dependency in the context of climate change adaptation
- Analyze and interpret empirical data collected in Namibia in 2023
Assessing the effect of mindfulness on altruistic donations to future generations in an intergenerational behavioural game

In this Master thesis, we expect the student to analyze data from an empirical field experiment. The experiment was intended to simulate challenges of local communities in Namibia to adapt to climate change. Adapting to climate change has implications on a large number of people over long-time horizons making necessary altruistic choices and coordination of the present generation. In this context, we are interested in better understanding how mindfulness as an interior condition can influences behaviour and social interactions. Previous research has shown that mindfulness increases cooperation in laboratory public good and trust games, and that intrinsic core values including equity considerations and altruism are activated when people experience an intentional, compassionate, and non-judgemental attentiveness to the present moment. We used a behavioural experiment to understand whether trait mindfulness and participation in a brief mindfulness practice support more altruistic choices and collective action.
For writing this thesis, the student is expected to provide a literature review on anticipated and/or reported effects of mindfulness in the context of sustainable development. She/he shall develop with support of the supervisor a methodological approach to analyse experiment data collected in Namibia in 2023. The student is expected to conduct the analysis using STATA and interpret the results in the light of the aforementioned research questions.
This thesis is related to our working group’s ongoing research project on Social Climate Change Impacts and Sustainability Innovations in Southern Africa and Northern South America (NISANSA). For more details, please contact Dr. Thomas Falk, falkt@staff.uni-marburg.de
Summary:
- An experimental study on the effects of mindfulness on altruistic choices and collective action
- Analyze and interpret empirical data collected in Namibia in 2023
Identifying entry points for agroecological food system transformation

In this master thesis, we expect the student to collect and categorize approaches to support agroecological food system transformation processes as used by ongoing or previous projects in India, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, OR Peru. The global agricultural and food systems are currently not meeting the world’s expectations for sustainability. These tensions are likely to be exacerbated as food systems will continue to face complex and mounting challenges, including demographic and climatic changes, political instability, conflicts and increased pressure on natural resources and ecosystem functions. Food systems need to transform to adapt the economic, environmental, political, and technological paradigm, rules, institutions and practices that have become increasingly incompatible with present and future expectations, to move beyond “lock-ins” and the status quo. One response to this demand is Agroecology as a dynamic concept that has gained prominence in scientific, agricultural, and political discourse in recent years. It harnesses, maintains, and enhances biological and ecological processes in agricultural production, in order to reduce the use of purchased inputs that include fossil fuels and agrochemicals and to create more diverse, fair, resilient and productive agroecosystems.

The question remains open as to how an agroecological food system transformation can be supported. Numerous projects, government programs and self-help initiatives across many countries made efforts in promoting such transformation. Earlier studies have shown that the majority of them mainly uses technical capacity development as entry point for promoting change.

In the frame of this thesis, we invite the student to condense lessons learnt from previous agroecological initiatives and conceptualize the used approaches making reference to Meadows’ places to intervene in a system as well as the literature on behavioral change. We will make available project documents related to agroecological initiatives in one of the aforementioned countries. The student is expected to review these documents and categories the approach to clarify the initiatives’ entry points to system change and draw conclusions on underlying behavioral assumptions. The coding of approaches and assumptions will allow simple statistical and visual analysis. The results shall be discussed in the light of ambitions to transform food system.

This thesis is related to the OneCGIAR Initiative on Transformational Agroecology across food, land, and water systems. The aim is to demonstrate the applicability – and promote the investment and uptake – of agroecology by food system actors, including small-scale farmers, in low-income countries. A publication at least as an IFPRI working paper is desired. The research group Sustainable Use of Natural Resources will facilitate the application for a scholarship of the Council for Tropical and Subtropical Agricultural Research to support this research. For more details, please contact Dr. Thomas Falk, falkt@staff.uni-marburg.de

Summary:
- Analyze approaches to support agroecological food system transformation processes as used by ongoing or past initiatives in India, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, OR Peru
- Categorization of approaches based on conceptual thinking;
- Review project documents
- Descriptive statistics and visual analysis.
The role of socio-economic factors on the success of an experiential learning intervention in India

An emerging body of research explores the use of experiential learning games as an intervention to facilitate sustainable natural resource management. These games are structured spaces where players can acquire knowledge by experiencing, reflecting, and experimenting, which leads to improved understanding and enhanced problem-solving capacities for participants. Economic games, in particular, focus on the key underlying social dilemmas, while also being a rather low-cost and scalable intervention. While games are an increasingly common intervention tool, their impacts on real-life behavioral change have not been well documented.

The project “Scaling up experiential learning tools for sustainable water governance in India” implemented by the International Food Policy Institute and partners aims to provide evidence on the potential of experiential learning games. The project intends to support sustainable water management of 1,500 rural communities in six Indian states. A critical element of the project is playing experiential learning games. The project set up a randomized control trial to learn how the game interventions influenced system understanding, norms, gender attitudes, and water management rules and behavior. For this purpose, 3751 treated and 1916 control individuals were interviewed.

This thesis shall explore whether individual socio-economic factors influence the effect of the game intervention on different outcome variables. Such findings would help the project partners to improve the intervention strategy to better target critical and marginalised sub-populations.

Working on this topic would require econometric analyses of the medium size data set.

The thesis would be a valuable contribution to the aforementioned project. A publication at least as an IFPRI working paper is desired. The research group Sustainable Use of Natural Resources will facilitate the application for a six-month scholarship of the Council for Tropical and Subtropical Agricultural Research to support this research. For more details, please contact Dr. Thomas Falk, falkt@staff.uni-marburg.de

Summary:
· assessing impact of learning games;
· focus on interactions between socio-economic factors and game interventions;
· Econometric analyses of a medium size data set;
· Working paper publication desired.
Chronic poverty and agency

In economic theory it is assumed that people can get trapped in poverty and be unable to escape from there without help from outside (a push). Hence, it is assumed that in such a situation of self-enforcing poverty people lose their agency to improve their economic situation. To test whether individuals in chronic poverty do actually feel a reduced sense of agency regarding their economic situation survey in a highly exposed area in southwest Bangladesh. The survey included items to allow a measure of chronic poverty, as well as sense of agency. The main research question of this block is:

(1) Do people classified as being trapped in poverty feel reduced agency?
Beyond these self-stated perception data, ways to measure and operationalize actual agency of participants. Therefore, this master thesis topic also contains a data search task to answer the question:
(2) Do people classified as being trapped in poverty actually have no agency?