Research

Research Focus

The Research of the South African - German Centre for Development Research (CDR) refers to the research work that is implicitly or explicitly supported by CDR-funds.

Research supported by CDR

In all of the academic programmes of CDR it is expected that Master- and PhD-students undertake theory based empirical research on real-world development problems in Sub-Sahara Africa. The research work includes a literature survey on the topic chosen, the preparation of an empirical research design, the collection of data during a field research period (field research period for Master-students: three to four months, for PhD-students: 6 to 9 months).

To date (March 2021) 17 PhD projects were completed by CDR PhD scholarship holders and have been published (topics and links to publication are available here). 8 projects are still ongoing. Adding to that, 74 CDR-supported Master-students have finalized their research work, 12 of them completed two Master degrees of the CDR. Topics and links to published MA Theses are available here. 9 additional Master Thesis projects are still underway.

So, from the very beginning of their studies graduates and doctoral candidates are actively encouraged to participate in CDR's research work. In terms of topics the research work of the Master- and PhD-students follow the core research areas of CDR. Table 1 provides an overview. Due to the empirical orientation of research CDR has accumulated broad regional expertise.

 

CDR's core research areas
Social policies for reducing poverty: Income grants and social insurance schemes (ISD)
Health studies: Improving health sector's effectiveness; infectious diseases' impacts on productivity and poverty (SoG and IEE)
Fostering communities participation in shaping development: Frameworks for empowerment and impacts on the effectiveness of development interventions (SoG)
Providing finance, education, infrastructure, and technology: Rigorous assessment of impacts on income and expenditures, welfare and poverty (IEE and ISD)
Use of water, land, and environment including resource conflicts (ISD and IEE)
Public sector reform: Frameworks for and effects of (fiscal) decentralization, new public management and anti-corruption measures (SoG)
Democratization and the role of political parties (SoG)
Trade, migration, ODA and economic growth (IEE)

Latest News

DAAD InRegion Scholarship opportunities at CDR

Candidates from Sub-Sahara Africa can apply for a DAAD InRegion Scholarships for Studies at the South African - German Centre of Development Research. Scholarships are available for the Master in Development Studies and the PhD in Development Studies, both offered by the Institute for Social Development of UWC, partner of the CDR.

Application deadline is 27 April 2023. More information is available via the DAAD call for applications.

No Call for the MADM at UWC in 2023

Please note that we are currently not accepting any applications for the MADM at the University of the Western Cape as no intake will start in South Africa in 2024. If you are interested in studying the MADM programme, please apply for the MADM in Bochum. See the "How to apply" section of the Website of the Institute of Development Research and Development Policy in Bochum for further information.