Projects
Essays in Development Economics: Evidence from East Africa KU Leuven
This dissertation is divided into four chapters, each built around a different research paper that falls under the broad field of `development economics'. The analysis in all chapters is mostly empirical, relying on primary data collected in recent years from East Africa. Of course, theory plays a key role in directing the analysis. Chapters 1 and 2 study different aspects of female empowerment and household decisions in Tanzania. Chapters 3 ...
Value Chains, ICT and the Transformation of Food Systems: Evidence from East Africa KU Leuven
Agricultural value chains around the world are changing rapidly, not only in terms of scale and scope, but also when it comes to the technologies used and in their relationship with traditional (religious) practices. Yet, agricultural productivity remains low for different crops and in different countries. This PhD thesis investigates reasons for low agricultural productivity and explores simple solutions using ICT in two distinct contexts: ...
Brittle tectonics in the Lufilian fold-and-thrust belt and its foreland. An insight into the stress field record in relation to moving plates (Katanga, DRC) KU Leuven
Advances in the management of Obstetric Fistulae KU Leuven
In this thesis research on obstetric fistula is being presented. Obstetric fistula are complications of obstructive labour, where the foetal head compresses tissues against the bony pelvis. This induces ischaemia and necrosis of these tissues and subsequent fistulisation. The high prevalence of obstetric fistula in certain regions of developing countries is a hallmark of poor perinatal care
Epidemiological studies have shown that the ...
Global Usumbura: Mapping “third actors” and their international networks in colonial Ruanda-Urundi through judicial archives (1920s-1940s). Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Transport infrastructure and regional development in China during the Maoist era KU Leuven
1. Introduction
This project aims to investigate the link between transport infrastructure and regional economic development in China during the Mao era. Economists argue that public investments have a positive impact on economic growth for a number of reasons. As we will elaborate in what follows, the Chinese story contains many unique and intriguing elements which complicate this statement. A thorough investigation of the topic will ...
Production of Potable Water for Small Scale Communities using Low-Cost Filtration Membrane KU Leuven
The use of ultrafiltration (UF) technology in treating groundwater for the supply of potable water in the impoverished rural Tshaanda village is demonstrated in this dissertation, along with the potential of using novel membranes derived from plastic waste. The technical and administrative processes critical for the successful installation of the pilot plant were developed. Given the rural nature of Tshaanda (the study area), the cultural and ...