Funding for student projects
Read more about our funded student projects here:
Student: Emma Eline Flarup W. A. Munch
Main supervisor(s): Neda Trifkovic, Department of Economics & Niels Fold, Department of Geography
Project period: January - June 2025
External partner(s): Northern Mountainous Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute (NOMAFSI) & Development and
Policy Research Center (DEPOCEN)
Description: Coffee cultivation has been a key driver of Vietnam’s economic, social, and environmental transformation over the past decades. However, as a crop, coffee is highly sensitive to changes in temperature and precipitation, making it particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change (Bunn et al., 2014). It is estimated that around 85% of Vietnam’s coffee output is produced by smallholders (ILO, 2024). As the second largest producer of coffee globally, the vulnerability and resilience of smallholders in Vietnam therefore play a crucial role in maintaining the stability and sustainability of the global coffee value chain and industry. Despite increasing research on the effects of climate change on livelihood vulnerability, both globally and in Vietnam (Hahn et al., 2009; Huong et al., 2019; Nguyen & Leisz, 2021; Shah et al., 2013), studies focusing specifically on coffee smallholders remain limited. This thesis aims to address this research gap, integrating quantitative and qualitative research methods to assess livelihood vulnerability among coffee smallholders in Son La province in Vietnam.
By examining the vulnerability of coffee smallholders in Son La, the study will provide valuable insights that may serve as fertile ground for developing climate resilient agricultural practices and livelihoods.
Student: Ghader G. Al-Mosawy, BSc. Biotechnology
Main supervisor(s): Prof. John Dirk Nieland, Prof. Meike Burow, and special consultant Benedicte Smith-Sivertsen
Project period: 30 June to 22 August
External partner(s): Aalborg University
Read the full project article here
Description: The project focused on exploring the potential of a widely spread invasive weed, nutggrass, as a source of natural bioactive compounds for dermatological and cosmetic applications. The main aim was to investigate the plant’s capacity to inhibit hair growth and reduce inflammation in skin disorders.
The nutgrass is an invasive species that harbours valuable bioactive compounds with promising applications in skin care and hair growth management. By extracting and utilising these natural compounds, it is possible to develop innovative, eco-friendly cosmetic products. This approach turns a problematic weed into a sustainable resource, providing novel solutions that align with environmental and health-conscious consumer demands.
Student:Julie Zacho Thorball, MSc in Global Development
Main supervisor(s): Prof. Jens Friis Lund (main supervisor), Assistant Prof. Neda Trifkovic (co-supervisor)
Project period: August 2025 to December 2025
External partner(s): European Energy
Description: I will be studying community engagement and opposition to the Nearshore Wind Farm project at Jammerland Bugt. The project is developed by European Energy and TotalEnergies in Jammerland Bugt, just 6 km from the shore and the peninsula Reersø, near western Zealand. The project faced many delays, which have affected the project. This project has been featured in local media and gained traction politically as a NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) case, however, it is yet to be covered what this opposition stems from.
To date, research and policy debates have primarily focused on opposition to renewable energy infrastructure in resource-constrained, rural communities, where local populations often lack the means to resist. By contrast, Jammerland Bugt is a unique case: opposition has been driven primarily by upper-middle-class summerhouse owners, who possess both the financial resources and organisational capacity to mobilise against the project. Their opposition centres on visual intrusion and noise impacts.
I will conduct a single case study based on the Jammerland Bugt case, utilising both qualitative and quantitative methods. My research method is interviews and statistical analysis.
UCPH Green Solutions Centre (GSC) offers funding for cross-disciplinary student projects and welcomes all ECTS projects and reports relevant to the green transition. Funding can be used for materials, analyses, rental of equipment, consumer-oriented tasks, etc., but not for salary and travel.
Requirements:
- The applicants must be enrolled students at UCPH. Projects with a min. two students from different disciplines are given a higher priority, but one student is also accepted.
- Funding is up to DKK 15.000 per student.
- The project must have relevance for the green transition.
- The project must have an element of cross-disciplinarity/cross-disciplinary approach (include knowledge from another discipline than your main study area. GSC can help find a cosupervisor or sparring partner).
- There must be some kind of collaboration with an external partner (e.g., a company, public authority, NGO). GSC can help find the external partner.
- Application must include:
- Short project description (~½-1 page) approved by supervisors*, including time-period
- Budget - The student must disseminate findings from the project at a public/semi-public event or similar (students' choice) and as a short article (~one page) to be posted on the GSC homepage. Students can get professional help and feedback for this part.
The GSC Secretariat will process applications on an ongoing basis. The application must be sent to GSC@ku.dk, and questions can be sent to Mette Frimodt Møller, memo@science.ku.dk.
Read more about possibilities and requirements for student funding here.
Topics:
Student projects can be based on ongoing collaboration with external partner, the student's own idea or topic/theme for the project or get inspiration from existing project ideas.
Seek inspiration from student project ideas within our two Living Labs "Our Plant-based Future" and "Urban solutions to green transition".
Student funding within the two Living Labs: Our Plant-based Future and Urban solutions to green transition
Student projects can be based on a arbitrary topic (complying with the above requirements), or the project can be related to one of GSC´s Living Labs: Our Plant-based Future and Urban solutions to green transition.
Get inspiration from earlier student project topics within the two living labs below:
Within the Living Lab "Our Plant-based Future" earlier projects have surrounded the themes of:
- Behavioral changes in canteens and commercial kitchens
- School meals
- Language and identity
- Legunes
- Robots in the field
- Historic crops = new opportunities
Check out earlier funded student projects within Our Plant-based future here.
Within the Living Lab "Urban solutions to green transition" earlier projects have surrounded the themes of:
- Data gaps
- infrastructures, and links to equity and justice
- Novel engagement processes, also thinking with the more-than-human perspective
- Climate futuring
Check out earlier funded student projects within Urban solutions to green transition here.
Mette Frimodt-Møller is Living Lab Manager, and you can contact her