We offer topics for writing a master thesis at our department that cover the following research fields:

• Innovation policy
• Evolutionary economics
• Innovation systems and dedicated innovation systems
• Sustainability transitions
• Complexity economics
• Socio-economic aspects of the bioeconomy

 Potential methods include:

• Machine learning
• Agent-based modeling
• Social network analysis
• Systematic literature review
• Qualitative and quantitative content analysis
• Casestudy

If you would like to write your Master’s Thesis at our Chair, you must officially apply for supervision. While this is not mandatory, we recommend that you have completed at least one of our Master's courses. Please note that if the number of applicants exceeds our capacity, priority will be given to students who have already attended our courses. 

The application is submitted via an online survey on ILIAS. The registration survey is avaiable from: 

• Winter term: June 15 – July 15 

• Summer term: January 15 – February 15 

In the form, you will be asked to indicate which of our courses you have taken, the grades you have received (if available), and your general areas of interest. There is no need to submit a specific topic or prepare additional materials at this stage. 

Please note that this application process is specific to our Chair. Other Chairs may have different procedures. 

After the application period, one of our research assistants will contact you and provide access to a folder where you can book a thesis topic. 

After being accepted, please follow the steps below: 

1. Choose a topic: 
You can apply for a topic from the booking tool under “Open Topics” by booking it (first come, first served). Topics marked as 1/1 or 1/2 are available; 0/x means the topic is no longer available. After booking, you have a maximum of three weeks to submit a relevant research proposal (2–5 pages). Please send your proposal to your supervisor (email address provided in the post-booking information) using the subject line: 
"Research Proposal MT, [Topic ID], [Date of booking]" 
If no topics are listed, there are currently none available. If topics are listed but cannot be booked, it means other students have already applied for them.

2. Write a research proposal: 
To write a Master’s Thesis at our department, you must submit a relevant research proposal (2–5 pages) clearly outlining what you plan to do, why, and how. Please follow the provided template (available in the Master Thesis course) and refer to the academic writing guidelines from our Scientific Writing course.

3. Submit your research proposal: 
Your proposal must be submitted within three weeks of booking the topic. After this period, your booking will be canceled and the topic made available to others. Please note: You may not apply for the same topic twice. Submit your proposal via email to your supervisor.

4. Feedback from your supervisor: 
Your supervisor will contact you to discuss your research proposal. If your proposal is rejected (e.g., due to lack of relevance or low quality), you may apply for a different open topic. Reapplication for the same topic is not permitted.

5. Register your thesis: 
Once your supervisor approves your proposal, you must officially register your thesis. The start date of your writing period will be set based on your application date. Please submit the signed and completed registration form.

You may also submit an individual topic. If you wish to do so, you must submit a research proposal to inno@uni-hohenheim.de two weeks before the official topic publication date. 

For a master’s thesis you are expected to write 45 to 60 pages (references and appendices not included).

For all theses, please comply with the following formal requirements:

• Use correct grammar, orthography, and punctuation
• Please use 1.5 line spacing
• Font: please use Times New Roman (size 12) or Arial (size 11)
• Leave the following margins: left: 4cm, right: 2.5cm, top and bottom: 2cm each
• Please write your thesis English (both American and British spelling are accepted if used consistently)

Submission requirements

For information on the submission requirements for your thesis, please have a look at the examination regulations or ask the staff at the examination office. Please do not forget to enclose a signed declaration of originality to your thesis. In addition to the submission at the examination office, we ask you to also email your thesis to your supervisor.

Important remarks on scientific writing and citation

We expect you to know the basics of scientific writing (e.g., how to properly structure a thesis, how to pose a research question, how to cite correctly, which references to use and which rather not to use, etc.). We strongly recommend having a look at the literature on scientific writing and, particularly, the current edition of the “Publication manual of the American Psychological Association”. A version of this manual should be available at the university’s library; otherwise please ask your supervisor.

Please find the formal requirements on scientific writing here. Watching the videos from the scientific writing course is a prerequisite to writing a master thesis at our chair.

Please note that we will use a software to check your thesis AND your research proposal for plagiarism!