Team members

I am an agricultural economist and work with the Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO) as a postdoctoral researcher. I am also very happy to lead the Leibniz Junior Research Group “RuWell”. Additionally, I am an associate researcher at the World Database of Happiness based in the Erasmus Happiness Economics Research Organization in the Netherlands, a proud member of the International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies (ISQOLS) as well as the Southeast Europe Research Group (SEE) based at IAMO. My research focuses on empirical microeconomics, quality of life and place attachment in rural areas and social comparison processes in relation to subjective well-being. My geographical focus is mainly Southeast Europe and East Germany, but also Thailand and Latin America.

Arjola Arapi-Gjini – Postdoctoral Researcher

I am a Research Associate at the Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO) and a postdoctoral researcher within the RuWell project. I specialize in the use of impact evaluation techniques ranging from quasi experiments to simulation models for development intervention projects and initiatives. My research focuses on issues of agricultural and rural development, immigration policies, poverty, inequality, and communal well-being in Southeast Europe. I also have extensive experience in teaching undergraduate and graduate courses at Martin Luther University in Halle. My current research investigates the multidimensional drivers of rural well-being and their effects on people’s (im)mobility decisions in Southeast Europe and East Germany.

Johnson Kansiime – PhD Student

I am a rural development specialist, agricultural economist, and rural livelihoods enthusiast. I work with the Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO) as a doctoral researcher. Growing up mostly in rural areas spurred my desire to firmly contribute towards providing solutions to the complex problems faced by rural dwellers. I envision a world where concerned parties conscientiously work towards the sustainable development of rural spaces while improving the wellbeing of rural residents. As a PhD student within the RuWell project, I work under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Christoph Wunder and Dr. Antje Jantsch. My research investigates the multidimensional drivers of rural well-being and their effects on (im)mobility decisions of rural people in East Germany with a focus on the dimension of place attachment. My wider research interests include multi-dimensional well-being, rural out-migration, poverty and inequality, rural food security and food systems transition, analysis of agricultural policies and programmes.

Arbnora Shala - PhD-student

I am a specialist in rural development and agribusiness. I am a doctoral student at the Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO). As a member of the RuWell project, supervised by Dr. Antje Jantsch, Dr. Arjola Arapi-Gjini and Prof. Dr. Thomas Herzfeld, I will provide survey-based empirical evidence on the main drivers of rural (im)mobility decisions by using a Multidimensional Well-being Index (MWI), developed by the RuWell team.

My research is focused on rural regions in Albania, Kosovo, Moldova, and Romania. Particular attention will be paid to the role of place attachment in people's (im)mobility decisions and well-being specifics.

In addition to my research, I am very interested in economic and social rural development sciences, and agricultural policies. As an innovative thinker, enthusiastic and hardworking person I love expanding my knowledge with new things daily.

Darja Nedoborovsky - student assistant

I am a student assistant at the Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies and support the RuWell team. My main fields of work include public relations, especially managing the project website as well as helping with the organization of the conceptual workshops.