Dr. Bethelhem Legesse Debela

Current Position
Stand-in Professor (Chair of Prof. Dr. Qaim)
Chair of International Food Economics and Rural Development

Research Interests
  • Food Security, Child Nutrition, Impact Assessment, Gender Studies, Agricultural Economics, Transformation of Global Agri-Food Systems, Nutrition Transition, Shocks, Public Interventions

    Education
  • PhD in Economics (2014), Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway
  • MSc in Development and Natural Resource Economics (2009), Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway
  • B.A in Economics (Great Distinction) (2006), Mekelle University, Ethiopia


    Professional Experience
  • Stand-in professor (April 2022-present)- Chair of International Food Economics and Rural Development, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, University of Goettingen
  • Postdoctoral researcher (January 2018-March 2022) – Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, University of Goettingen
  • Postdoctoral researcher (December 2015-Dec 2017) – GlobalFood, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, University of Goettingen
  • Consultant (April-December 2015, Oct-Dec, 2014) – School of Economics and Business, Norwegian University of Life Sciences
  • Consultant (Dec. 2014-Apr. 2015, Feb.-Nov. 2014) – International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)


    Teaching
  • Lecturer (since summer term 2018) – Quantitative Research Methods in Rural Development Economics (MSc Module), Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, University of Goettingen.
  • Lecturer (since summer term 2022) – Evaluation of Rural Development Projects and Policies (MSc Module), Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, University of Goettingen.
  • Participating Lecturer (since summer term 2022), Introduction to Tropical and International Agriculture (Interdisciplinary Bachelor Level Course), University of Goettingen, (Economics part)
  • Co-lecturer (Winter term 2022), Socioeconomics of Rural Development and Food Security (Master Level Course), Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, University of Goettingen
  • Teaching assistant (Sep.-Dec 2012, Sep.-Dec 2009) – Resource and Environmental Economics, School of Economics and Business, Norwegian University of Life Sciences.
  • Teaching assistant (Sep.-Dec 2012, Sep.-Dec 2010 and Sep.-Dec 2009) – Econometric Methods, School of Economics and Business, Norwegian University of Life Sciences.
  • Graduate Assistant (Sep. 2006 - Aug. 2007) – Department of Economics, Mekelle University, Ethiopia. Courses taught: Linear Algebra, Microeconomics, International Economics, Urban and Regional Economics


    Publications
    Peer Reviewed Articles
  • Mehraban, N., Debela, B.L., Kalsum, U., Qaim, M. (2022). What about her? Oil palm cultivation and intra-household gender roles. Food Policy 110, 102276, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2022.102276
  • Debela, B.L., Ruml, A., Qaim, M. (2022). Effects of contract farming on diets and nutrition in Ghana. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, 44:911–929, http://doi.org/10.1002/aepp.13204
  • Debela, B.L., Shively, G.E., Holden, S.T. (2021). Implications of food-for-work programs for consumption and production diversity: Evidence from the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. Agriculture and Food Economics 9, 28, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40100-021-00189-1
  • Debela, B.L., Gehrke, E., Qaim, M. (2021). Links between maternal employment and child nutrition in rural Tanzania. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, https://doi.org/10.1111/ajae.12113
  • Debela, B. L., Demmler, K. M., Klasen, S., & Qaim, M. (2020). Supermarket food purchases and child nutrition in Kenya. Global Food Security, 25, 100341. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2019.100341
  • Debela, B.L., Demmler, K. M., Rischke, R. and Qaim, M. (2017). Maternal Nutrition Knowledge and Child Nutritional Outcomes in Urban Kenya. Appetite 116, 518-526.
  • Debela, B.L. (2017). Factors Affecting Differences in Livestock Ownership between Male and Female-headed Households in Northern Ethiopia. European Journal of Development Research, 29: 328-347.
  • Debela, B.L., Shively, G. and Holden, S. (2015). Does Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Program Improve Child Nutrition? Food Security, 7(6), 1273-1289.
  • Debela, B., Shively, G., Angelsen, A. and Wik, M. (2012). Economic Shocks, Diversification and Forest Use in Uganda. Land Economics, 88(1): 139-154.

    Working papers and other publications
  • Debela, B.L., Gehrke, E., Qaim, M. (2019). Links between maternal employment and child nutrition in rural Tanzania. GlobalFood Discussion Paper 132, University of Goettingen.
  • Abro, Z.A., Debela, B.L., Kassie, M. (2019). The joint impact of improved maize seeds on productivity and efficiency: implications for policy. GlobalFood Discussion Paper 128, University of Goettingen.
  • Debela, B. L., Shively, G., Holden, S. T. (2017). Food for Work and Diet Diversity in Ethiopia. GlobalFood Discussion Paper 111, University of Goettingen. http://www.unigoettingen.de/de/213486.html.
  • Debela, B. L., Holden, S. T. (2014). How Does Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Program Affect Livestock Accumulation and Children’s Education? CLTS Working Paper No. 8/2014. Centre for Land Tenure Studies, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
  • Debela, B. L., Shively, G., Holden, S. T. (2014). Does Ethiopia's Productive Safety Net Program Improve Child Nutrition? CLTS Working Paper No. 1/2014. Centre for Land Tenure Studies, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
  • Debela, B. L., Demmler, K. M., Rischke, R., Qaim, M. (2017). “Maternal nutrition knowledge and child nutritional outcomes in urban Kenya.” Agrar Aktuell. Newsletter der Fakultat fur Agrarwissenschaften, 19:16-17.

    Ph.D. Thesis
    Debela, Bethelhem Legesse (2014). Attaining Secure Rural Livelihoods: The Role of Household Strategies and Public Interventions. Norwegian University of Life Sciences. Thesis number 2014:93

    Awards
  • Award for Best Course in 2019, Quantitative Research Methods in Rural Development Economics in Degree Program MSc. Sustainable International Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Goettingen
  • 3rd Best Poster Prize, 3rd International Congress on Hidden Hunger, March 20-22, 2017, Stuttgart, Germany
  • Norwegian Quota Scholarship Scheme for developing countries-PhD study (2009-2013)
  • NOMA (NORAD’s Program for Master Studies) Scholarship under the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD)-MSc study (2007-2009)
  • Award from Women’s Affairs Office in Mekelle University (Ethiopia) (2006), highest female achiever in the Department of Economics (two semesters)



    Languages
    Amharic (Mother tongue), English (Fluent), German (Intermediate)



    Curriculum Vitae