Tag Archives: Thesis and internship possibilities

Student gezocht voor onderzoek buurtmoestuinen

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Esther Veen's avataronderzoekerstadslandbouw

Laatst schreef ik over een stappenplan voor het opstarten van buurtmoestuinen, ontwikkeld door een ACT groep binnen eenWetenschapswinkelproject. Nu bieden we een stage of afstudeeronderzoek voor een (BSc of MSc) student. Dus wil je een bijdrage leveren aan een wetenschapswinkelproject en daarbij samenwerken met Wageningse onderzoekers, lees dan even verder!

De opdrachtgever van het wetenschapswinkeproject is de kenniskring buurtmoestuinen Almere. Deze heeft de volgende vragen:

  • Wat zijn de geleerde lessen en succesfactoren van de kenniskring?
  • In hoeverre heb je een ‘trekker’ nodig en in hoeverre is die vervangbaar en het netwerk daarmee overdraagbaar?
  • Hoe kan een dergelijk netwerk duurzaam gefinancierd worden?
  • Hoe houd je vrijwilligers betrokken en hoe geef je hen verantwoordelijkheid?
  • Hoe ga je om met meer commercieel gerichte initiatieven?
  • Wat zijn de voor- en nadelen van zowel schooltuinen als community gardens in één netwerk?
  • Is het zinvol om ook initiatieven op micro-schaal (bijvoorbeeld hanging baskets of 1-2 fruitbomen) op te nemen in…

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Benefits and constraints for certification of agro-ecological farmers – MSc-thesis possibility

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I am Maria Alice Mendonça, a PhD-student from the Univerity of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). I’m interested in the markteting and certification of agroecological food products. I’m staying at the Rural Sociology Group to study the certification of origin and organic food products in the Netherlands.

Certification can play an important role in the transition towards more sustainable food and agriculture. Yet, at the same time, rigid standards may constrain farmer innovation. To many small scale farmers certification is moreover a large financial burden. I want to investigate two or three different major certification schemes in the Netherlands. Interviews will be conducted with agroecological farmers to find the various benefits and constraints faced for different certification schemes.

I’m now looking for a MSc-is student with an interest in the topic that can assist from May 2014 onwards. Seen the interviews, preference is given to a Dutch speaking MSc student studying for example Organic Agriculture, Rural Development and Innovation, International Development Studies or Management, Economics and Consumer Studies.

If you are interested contact me: maria.alice.fcm@gmail.com or Dirk Roep: dirk.roep@wur.nl

“Sugar in Dutch foods throughout the years” – MSc-thesis possibility with Rural Sociology and Food Technology

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Sugar in Dutch foods throughout the years: proposal for a Rural Sociology Master’s Thesis supervised by dr Jessica Duncan of the Rural Sociology Group and dr ir Ralf Hartemink of the Food Technology Group of Wageningen University.

Note: the research question is proposed by Knowledge Centre for Sugar & Nutrition (Kenniscentrum suiker & voeding). They will review the thesis and potentially use findings to develop a fact sheet on the history of sugar use in the Netherlands.

Research context and problem:

Today, it is not uncommon to read warning of the impacts of increasing amounts of sugars being added foods and drinks and thus increasing sugar intake by consumers. But is this the case in the Netherlands? Are Dutch people using more sugar in their cooking? Are they consuming more sugar in ready-made products? Has the sugar content in these products increased over the years? If so, by how much and why? In order to establish an overview of trends in sugar use in some typical Dutch products the researcher will:

  1. Research and map sugar trends in foods and drinks throughout the years (both domestic cooking and industrially prepared foods);
  2. Research the functionalities of sugar in a variety of products in the context of the trends.
  3. Analyse the  social and technological drivers and implications of the trends

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MSc Thesis on return-migration in Turkey-Kurdistan

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The destruction and burning of thousands of rural settlements and the forced migration of hundred thousands, if not millions of (mostly) Kurdish villagers is one of the most painful and pressing issues in Turkey. Though the evacuations date back to the end of the 1980s, the issue has left a heavy legacy, socially, politically, and economically.

Over the last years, many thousands of people returned to their villages. Yet little is known about who returns and when and how livelihoods are rebuild . The evidence there is suggests that not all segments of the population return in equal proportions and that young men and young families in particular are underrepresented among the returnees. Furthermore, it transpires that people do not exchange their urban accommodation for a rural one; instead, it appears that what may be identified as dual or extended settlement patterns emerge. Apparently, there is not only no coming back to an earlier condition, but rather the development of new ways of organizing living and working space.

For those attempting return, there are new problems, livelihood difficulties that they did not have to face prior to their evacuation. Clearly, re-establishment as a peasant is difficult because most of the displaced have to start from scratch: they arrive back to find their fields and houses ruined. Furthermore, community facilities and services like health care and education facilities and water and electricity supplies were similarly destroyed or fell into disrepair or just remained unsupplied. Neo-liberal policies are said to have negatively impacted returnees by undermining their ability to make a living from agriculture.

At the Rural Sociology group and in collaboration with partners in Turkey we would like to look at return migration from several perspectives. Therefore, we are looking for (two or three) students who are interested in doing a MSc thesis, looking at the (gendered) demography of return, the rebuilding of livelihood and multi-place settlement patterns and spatial mobility.

Does one of these issues make you curious and/or do you have an interest in one or more of the research themes mentioned above, please contact Joost Jongerden at joost.jongerden@wur.nl

Student asked for MSc-thesis research on poultry systems in Venda, Northern South Africa

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There is a possibility for a MSc-student to explore poultry dynamics in South Africa. Post-apartheid socio-technical development interventions (still) favours the introduction and expansion of modern poultry systems (broilers and layers) among smallholders to supply meat and eggs to urban consumers. The ‘formula 1 chicken’ (or plof kip) relies heavily on purchased industrial feed and fodder. The market, in addition, plays a crucial role. Together they shape the future of this poultry system. Next to this modern system, a flourishing poultry hinging on indigenous scavenging chicken is operational.

The project aims to make a detailed socio-technical analysis of both poultry systems with a focus on problematic issues and opportunities.

Accommodation and a translator can be arranged. Info: Paul.Hebinck@wur.nl