Dr. Cornelia Hett

Research

Areas of professional focus at CDE

Land change sciences: I study patterns and processes at the landscape level caused by ecological and anthropogenic drivers. I also investigate the impacts and outcomes of changes in the socio-ecological system, particularly implications of large scale land acquisitions on rural livelihoods in developing countries.
Agro-biodiversity: I focus on lived-in landscapes and investigate the interlinkage of people with their environment through agricultural activities – what genetic resources, management systems and practices are used by culturally diverse peoples? What are the major causes of agro-biodiversity loss and the implications on local livelihoods? What are the linkages of agro-biodiversity and human nutrition.
Transdisciplinary research methods: I work at the interface between science, practice and policy decision-making. In this space I employ different forms of multi-stakeholder consultation processes in order to foster the co-production of knowledge and solutions to sustainability problems.
Working with spatially explicit and big datasets: With a background in geography and computer sciences I have a fondness for spatially explicit analysis and utilizing large datasets to explore problems related to land resources.

Projects

The Agro-Biodiversity Initiative - TABI supports the conservation and sustainable economic use of agro-biodiversity in Lao PDR project for Smallholder Agricultural-market. See: http://www.tabi.la/ and https://www.phakhaolao.la/en/home
Scaling-up SLM by smallholder farmers - Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Uganda: https://www.wocat.net/en/projects-and-countries/projects/scaling-sustainable-land-management-practices-smallholder-farmers-cambodia-lao-pdr-and-uganda
Lao DECIDE Info - an initiative that strives to improve access to key data and information for development planning and well-informed decision-making in the Lao PDR. See: https://www.k4d.la/

Further professional interests

Teaching and capacity building: I enjoy being active in adult education and sharing my knowledge with students across the spectrum of academic levels and topical focus.
The interface of science-policy-practice: I work at this interface with changing roles – once it is as researcher, other times as project coordinator of development projects, at other times it is as scientific adviser for political decision-makers. I am passionate about nurturing this interface and getting inspired by it.
Linking sustainability into the sectors of economy and finance. I see these linkages as necessary in order to bring impact for sustainable behaviour to scale.

Field experience

Laos, Kenya, Madagascar, Vietnam, Thailand, Costa Rica, USA, Germany

Languages

German, English, French, Spanish, Lao

Publications

Jump to: 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010

2024

Ehrensperger, Albrecht; Nanhthavong, Vong; Beban, Alice; Gironde, Christophe; Diepart, Jean-Christophe; Scurrah, Natalia; Nguyen, Anh-Thu; Cole, Robert; Hett, Cornelia; Ingalls, Micah (2024). The agrarian transition in the Mekong Region: pathways towards sustainable land systems. Journal of land use science, 19(1), pp. 1-23. Taylor & Francis 10.1080/1747423X.2024.2288728

Sonderegger, Gabi; Providoli, Isabelle; Hett, Cornelia; Bürgi Bonanomi, Elisabeth; Oberlack, Christoph; Zeleke, Gete (2024). Sustainable landscapes: How can the private sector contribute? (CDE Policy Brief 21). Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Switzerland

2023

Scharrer, Bettina; Hett, Cornelia; Mann, Stefan (February 2023). Alternative Wertschöpfungsketten und Wege der Vertrauensbildung - jenseits von Zertifizierungssystemen und Labels (Working Paper NRP73 NRP73-WP01-2023). Bern: Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Bern

Providoli, Isabelle; Sonderegger, Gabi; Hett, Cornelia (2023). Advancing the design of private sector-led landscape initiatives: An analysis of scientific design principles and their application in practice Bern, Switzerland: Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Bern, with Bern Open Publishing (BOP)

Hett, Cornelia; Zar Chi Aye, Zar Chi Aye; Gironde, Christophe; Beban, Alice; Castella, Jean-Christophe; Bernhard, Rasso; Ehrensperger, Albrecht (2023). Agroecological initiatives in the Mekong Region: a systematic literature review and mapping reveals their implications for transitioning to sustainable food systems. Journal of land use science, 18(1), pp. 334-355. Taylor & Francis 10.1080/1747423X.2023.2248980

2022

Nanhthavong, Vong; Bieri, Sabin; Nguyen, Anh-Thu; Hett, Cornelia; Epprecht, Michael (2022). Proletarianization and gateways to precarization in the context of land-based investments for agricultural commercialization in Lao PDR. World development, 155, p. 105885. Elsevier 10.1016/j.worlddev.2022.105885

Hett, Cornelia; Vongkhamo, Simone; Bürgi Bonanomi, Elisabeth (2022). Co-creating solutions for the sustainable development of benzoin landscapes in Laos: A case study to reveal the aspirations and needs of local residents (Working Paper NRP73). Bern: Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Bern

Bürgi Bonanomi, Elisabeth; Schäli, Judith; Belser, Eva Maria; Mazidi, Simon; Baumgartner, Urs; Giger, Markus; Franc, Andrea; Hett, Cornelia; Jacobi, Johanna; Mann, Stefan; Scharrer, Bettina; Solar, Jimena (2022). Hypothetisches Bundesgesetz über nachhaltigen Agrarhandel (Agrarhandelsgesetz, AhG), Synthese SNF-NFP 73 Projekt «Diversifizierte Ernährungssysteme dank nachhaltiger Handelsbeziehungen» Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), Universität Bern

Magliocca, Nicholas R.; Ellicott, Evan A.; Ingalls, Micah L.; Epprecht, Michael; Hett, Cornelia; Nanhthavong, Vong; de Bremond, Ariane C. (2022). Spatio-temporal unevenness in local land system regime shifts caused by land deals in Lao PDR. Ecology and Society, 27(4) Resilience Alliance Publications 10.5751/ES-13405-270407

2021

Nanhthavong, Vong; Oberlack, Christoph; Hett, Cornelia; Messerli, Peter; Epprecht, Michael (2021). Pathways to human well-being in the context of land acquisitions in Lao PDR. Global environmental change, 68, p. 102252. Elsevier 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102252

Hett, Cornelia; Lannen, Anu (2021). Introduction video: “Co-creating sustainable pathways for benzoin production” [Movie].

Breu, Thomas; Bieri, Sabin; Bouasavanh, Somephone; Eckert, Sandra; Ehrensperger, Albrecht; Epprecht, Michael; Eshoo, Paul; Fischer, Markus; González-Rojí, Santos J.; Hergarten, Christian; Hett, Cornelia; Hurni, Kaspar; Messmer, Martina; Nguyen, Anh-Thu; O'Kelly, Hannah; Phayvanh, Thong Eth; Phonvisay, Aloun; Raible, Christoph C.; Snethlage, Mark; Stocker, Thomas F.; ... (2021). Towards sustainable futures for nature and people. An appraisal report for Laos in the stewardship hub of Southeast Asia (Wyss Academy Report 3). Bern: Wyss Academy for Nature at the University of Bern

Providoli, Isabelle; Tim, Sophea; Harari, Nicole; Liniger, Hanspeter; Herweg, Karl; Hett, Cornelia (2021). Enhancing capacities of the young generation in Cambodia for supporting rural transformation and agroecology mainstreaming through education for sustainable development (ESD) (Unpublished). In: Virtual Regional consultation on Engaging with Academia and Research Institutions (ARIs) to support Family Farmers and Food System Transformation During and Post COVID-19 Pandemic in Asia. Bangkok. 08 – 09 December 2021.

2020

Hett, Cornelia; Nanhthavong, Vong; Hanephom, Savanh; Phommachanh, Anongsone; Sidavong, Boungnong; Phouangphet, Ketkeo; Lu, Juliet; Shattuck, Annie; Ingalls, Micah; Bernhard, Rasso; Phathitmixay, Souphaphone; Phomphakdy, Chanthavone; Heinimann, Andreas; Epprecht, Michael (2020). ການເຊົ່າ ແລະ ສຳປະທານທີ່ດິນລັດຢູ່ ສປປ ລາວ: ການຈຳແນກຄຸນລັກສະນະ ແລະ ຜົນກະທົບຈາກ ການລົງທຶນໃນຂົງເຂດທີ່ດິນ ແລະ ຊັບພະຍາກອນທຳມະຊາດ. Bern: Bern Open Publishing

Rist, Stephan; Bürgi Bonanomi, Elisabeth; Giger, Markus; Hett, Cornelia; Scharrer, Bettina; Jacobi, Johanna; Lannen, Anu (2020). Variety is the source of life: Agrobiodiversity benefits, challenges, and needs (Swiss Academies Factsheets 15 (1)). Bern: Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT) 10.5281/zenodo.3568133

Hett, Cornelia; Pilakone, Phaythoun; Kamp, Kevin; Ingalls, Micah; Heinimann, Andreas (2020). Bottom-up land use planning for equitable rural development in Lao PDR. In: Wymann von Dach, Susanne; Ruiz Peyré, Fernando (eds.) Vibrant mountain communities. Regional development in mountains: Realizing potentials, tackling disparities (pp. 18-20). Bern, Switzerland: Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Bern, with Bern Open Publishing (BOP) 10.7892/boris.146720

Nanhthavong, Vong; Epprecht, Michael; Hett, Cornelia; Zaehringer, Julie G.; Messerli, Peter (2020). Poverty trends in villages affected by land-based investments in rural Laos. Applied geography, 124(102298), p. 102298. Elsevier 10.1016/j.apgeog.2020.102298

2019

Ingalls, Micah L.; Hett, Cornelia; Thannasack, Phetsaphone; Phyoyyavong, Khamphou; Rasso, Bernhard; Chanthasumlet, Yothin; Philakone, Phaythoune (2019). New Directions for Participatory Land Use Planning: Can Bottom-Up Approaches Achieve a Win-Win for Sustainable Development and Forest Conservation? (NAFRI Research Brief 002). Bern, Switzerland: Vientiane, Lao PDR, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern 10.13140/RG.2.2.25407.05283

2018

Hett, Cornelia; Nanhthavong, Vong; Kenney-Lazar, Miles; Phouangphet, Ketkeo; Hanephom, Savanh (2018). Assessing land investment quality - A methodology to assess the quality of land concessions and leases in the Lao PDR. Bern, Switzerland: Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, with Bern Open Publishing

Kenney-Lazar, Miles; Dwyer, Michael; Hett, Cornelia (2018). Turning Land into Capital: Assessing A Decade of Policy in Practice. A Report Commissioned by the Land Information Working Group (LIWG) Vientiane, Laos: Land Information Working Group (LIWG)

Hett, Cornelia; Nanhthavong, Vong; Kenney-Lazar, Miles; Phouangphet, Ketkeo; Hanephom, Savanh (2018). Summary Brief: Assessing Land Investment Quality - A Methodology to Assess the Quality of Land Concessions and Leases in the Lao PDR (Policy Brief). Bern, Switzerland: Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Bern, with Bern Open Publishing

Ingalls, Micah; Diepart, Jean-Christophe; Truong, Nhu; Hayward, Daniel; Neil, Tony; Phomphakdy, Chanthavone; Bernhard, Rasso; Fogarizzu, Sinu; Epprecht, Michael; Nanhthavong, Vong; Vo, Dang Hung; Nguyen, Dzung; Nguyen, Phong Anh; Saphangthong, Thatheva; Inthavong, Chanthaviphone; Hett, Cornelia; Tagliarino, Nicholas (eds.) (2018). State of Land in the Mekong Region. Bern, Switzerland and Vientiane, Lao PDR: Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, and Mekong Region Land Governance, with Bern Open Publishing

2017

Mertz, Ole; Grogan, Kenneth; Pflugmacher, Dirk; Lestrelin, Guillaume; Castella, Jean-Christophe; Vongvisouk, Thoumthone; Hett, Cornelia; Fensholt, Rasmus; Sun, Zhanli; Berry, Nicholas; Müller, Daniel (2017). Uncertainty in establishing forest reference levels and predicting future forest-based carbon stocks for REDD+. Journal of land use science, 13(1-2), pp. 1-15. Taylor & Francis 10.1080/1747423X.2017.1410242

Bürgi, Matthias; Ali, Panna; Chowdhury, Afroza; Heinimann, Andreas; Hett, Cornelia; Kienast, Felix; Mondal, Manoranjan Kumar; Upreti, Bishnu Raj; Verburg, Peter H. (2017). Integrated Landscape Approach: Closing the Gap between Theory and Application. Sustainability, 9(8), p. 1371. MDPI 10.3390/su9081371

Heinimann, Andreas; Flint, Chris; Bernhard, Rasso; Hett, Cornelia (2017). Putting upland agriculture on the map: The TABI experience in Laos. In: Cairns, Malcom (ed.) Shifting Cultivation Policies: Balancing Environmental and Social Sustainability (pp. 819-835). Wallingford, United Kingdom: CABI

2016

Zähringer, Julie Gwendolin; Hett, Cornelia; Ramamonjisoa, Bruno; Messerli, Peter (2016). Beyond deforestation monitoring in conservation hotspots: Analysing landscape mosaic dynamics in north-eastern Madagascar. Applied geography, 68, pp. 9-19. Elsevier 10.1016/j.apgeog.2015.12.009

Heinimann, Andreas; Hett, Cornelia (2016). Looking beyond individual hydropower project. In: Wymann von Dach, Susanne; Bachmann, Felicitas; Borsdorf, Axel; Kohler, Thomas; Jurek, Matthias; Sharma, Eklabya (eds.) Investing in sustainable mountain development: Opportunities, resources and benefits (pp. 18-19). Bern: Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Bern, with Bern Open Publishing (BOP)

2015

Messerli, Peter; Bader, Christoph; Hett, Cornelia; Epprecht, Michael; Heinimann, Andreas (2015). Towards a spatial understanding of trade-offs in sustainable development: A meso-scale analysis of the nexus between land use, poverty, and environment in the Lao PDR. PLoS ONE, 10(7), e0133418. Public Library of Science 10.1371/journal.pone.0133418

2014

Zähringer, Julie Gwendolin; Hett, Cornelia; Eckert, Sandra; Ramamonjisoa, Bruno; Messerli, Peter (2014). Shifting cultivation dynamics within an ecosystem service hotspot of pronounced global interest – a first step towards negotiating trade-offs in North-East Madagascar. Proceedings of the Global Land Project 2nd Open Science Meeting, Berlin, March 19-21, 2014, pp. 196-197.

Heinimann, Andreas; Schoenweger, Oliver; Epprecht, Michael; Nanhthavong, Vong; Hett, Cornelia (2014). On the right path? Land concessions in Laos (CDE Policy Brief 3). Bern, Switzerland: Centre for Development and Environment (CDE)

2013

Hurni, Kaspar; Hett, Cornelia; Heinimann, Andreas; Messerli, Peter; Wiesmann, Urs (2013). Dynamics of Shifting Cultivation Landscapes in Northern Lao PDR Between 2000 and 2009 Based on an Analysis of MODIS Time Series and Landsat Images. Human ecology, 41(1), pp. 21-36. New-York, NY: Springer 10.1007/s10745-012-9551-y

Castella, Jean-Christophe; Lestrelin, Guillaume; Hett, Cornelia; Bourgoin, Jeremy; Fitriana, Yulia Rahma; Heinimann, Andreas; Pfund, Jean-Laurent (2013). Effects of Landscape Segregation on Livelihood Vulnerability: Moving From Extensive Shifting Cultivation to Rotational Agriculture and Natural Forests in Northern Laos. Human ecology, 41(1), pp. 63-76. New-York, NY: Springer 10.1007/s10745-012-9538-8

Bourgoin, Jeremy; Castella, Jean-Christophe; Hett, Cornelia; Lestrelin, Guillaume; Heinimann, Andreas (2013). Engaging Local Communities in Low Emissions Land-Use Planning: a Case Study from Laos. Ecology and Society, 18(2), p. 9. Resilience Alliance Publications 10.5751/ES-05362-180209

Heinimann, Andreas; Hett, Cornelia; Hurni, Kaspar; Messerli, Peter; Epprecht, Michael; Jørgensen, Lars; Breu, Thomas Michael (2013). Socio-Economic Perspectives on Shifting Cultivation Landscapes in Northern Laos. Human ecology, 41(1), pp. 51-62. Springer 10.1007/s10745-013-9564-1

Hett, Cornelia; Zähringer, Julie Gwendolin; Messerli, Peter; Eckert, Sandra; Huafang, Chen; Schmidt-Vogt, Dietrich (2013). Landscape mosaics maps as a basis for spatial assessment and negotiation of ecosystem services and their trade-offs at the meso-scale: Examples from Laos, Madagascar and China. In: 6th Annual International ESP Conference 2013. Making ecosystem services count!. Indonesien. 26.-30.08.2013.

Zähringer, Julie Gwendolin; Hett, Cornelia; Eckert, Sandra; Ramamonjisoa, Bruno; Messerli, Peter (2013). Ecosystem service trade-offs and stakeholder claims - a meso-scale study from a Madagascar biodiversity hotspot. In: 6th Annual international ESP conference 2013. Making ecosystem services count!. Indonesien. 26.-30.08.2013.

Zähringer, Julie Gwendolin; Hett, Cornelia; Eckert, Sandra; Ramamonjisoa, Bruno; Messerli, Peter (2013). Paysages, acteurs et services environnementaux au nord-est de Madagascar – une analyse éco-régionale (Unpublished). In: La biodiversité et les populations dans le contexte du changement climatique. Antananarivo, Madagaskar. 10.-11.12.2013.

2012

Hett, Cornelia; Castella, Jean-Christophe; Heinimann, Andreas; Messerli, Peter; Pfund, Jean-Laurent (2012). A landscape mosaics approach for characterizing swidden systems from a REDD+ perspective. Applied geography, 32(2), pp. 608-618. Oxford: Elsevier 10.1016/j.apgeog.2011.07.011

Van Vliet, Nathalie; Mertz, Ole; Heinimann, Andreas; Langanke, Tobias; Pascual, Unai; Schmook, Birgit; Adams, Cristina; Schmidt-Vogt, Dietrich; Messerli, Peter; Leisz, Stephen; Castella, Jean-Christophe; Jørgensen, Lars; Birch-Thomsen, Torben; Hett, Cornelia; Bech-Bruun, Thilde; Ickowitz, Amy; Chi Vu, Kim; Yasuyuki, Kono; Fox, Jefferson; Padoch, Christine; ... (2012). Trends, drivers and impacts of changes in swidden cultivation in tropical forest-agriculture frontiers: A global assessment. Global environmental change, 22(2), pp. 418-429. Amsterdam: Elsevier 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2011.10.009

Heinimann, Andreas; Hurni, Kaspar; Hett, Cornelia; Epprecht, Michael; Schönweger, Oliver (2012). Multiple claims to land resources in the Lao PDR: Issues of lacking cross-sectoral spatial planning. In: International Conference on Research for Development (ICRD). Research for Global Transformation. Bern: Centre for Development and Environment (CDE)

Hett, Cornelia; Heinimann, Andreas; Epprecht, Michael; Messerli, Peter; Hurni, Kaspar (2012). Carbon pools and poverty peaks in Lao PDR. Mountain Research and Development, 32(4), pp. 390-399. Boulder, Colo.: International Mountain Society 10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-12-00065.1

Mertz, Ole; Müller, Daniel; Sikor, Thomas; Hett, Cornelia; Heinimann, Andreas; Castella, Jean-Christophe; Lestrelin, Guillaume; Ryan, Casey M.; Reay, David S.; Schmidt-Vogt, Dietrich; Danielsen, Finn; Theilade, Ida; Noordwijk, Meine van; Verchot, Louis V.; Burgess, Neil D.; Berry, Nicholas J.; Pham, Thu Thuy; Messerli, Peter; Xu, Jianchu; Fensholt, Rasmus; ... (2012). The forgotten D: challenges of addressing forest degradation in complex mosaic landscapes under REDD+. Geografisk tidskrift - Danish journal of geography, 112(1), pp. 63-76. København: Routledge; Taylor & Francis Group 10.1080/00167223.2012.709678

Hett, Cornelia (2012). A spatial assessment of changes in land use and carbon stocks in Laos. A Contribution to policy and decision making for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Bern: Geographisches Institut der Universität Bern

2011

Hett, Cornelia; Heinimann, Andreas; Messerli, Peter (2011). Spatial assessment of carbon stocks of living vegetation at the national level in Lao PDR. Geografisk tidskrift - Danish journal of geography, 111(1), pp. 11-26. København: Routledge; Taylor & Francis Group 10.1080/00167223.2011.10669519

2010

Hett, Cornelia; Hurni, Kaspar; Heinimann, Andreas; Mueller, Daniel (2010). Assessing landscape changes in Laos using MODIS Enhanced Vegetation Index (Unpublished). In: Integrated Training and Capitalising on Experience (ITC). Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 01.09.-12.09.2010.

Network Affiliations

ESP – Ecosystem Services Partnership: a worldwide network to enhance the science, policy and practice of ecosystem services for conservation and sustainable development
GLP – Global Land Programme: An interdisciplinary community of science and practice fostering the study of land systems and the co-design of solutions for global sustainability
Td-net - Network for Transdisciplinary Research
PAR - The Platform for Agrobiodiversity Research

Centre for Development and Environment (CDE)