Editorial

Dear Reader,

Since its founding, the IEE has promoted multifaceted research with an effort to find theory-based solutions for real-world development problems. Currently, its research activities are based on the expertise of around 50 researchers and PhD students with backgrounds in economics, geography, law, political science and sociology. The diversity of disciplines convened at the IEE is reflected in the publications from IEE members over the last year covering diverse topics, such as global politics of intellectual property, social movements as drivers of urban policy, fair trade wine, privatization of the power sector in Latin America, financial cooperatives, and African procurement law, to name a few.

The multi-disciplinary approach of the Institute is not only a strength when it comes to running interdisciplinary master and PhD programmes, such as our Master in Development Management and the PhD in International Development Studies, but also allows researchers and students to find complementary research angles from different disciplines and conduct projects in cooperation with other universities.

With Christmas time coming closer and the end of the year now approaching, it is time to look back at the last month and highlight some events. Our Master student from the Bochum group are in their final phase of the Master thesis and the Cape Town group has just graduated. In the last months, several of our PHD students finished their work and successfully defended their PhD thesis.

From all of us at the IEE, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year.

Sincerely,