Brigitte A. Kaufmann (PD Dr. sc. agr.)

	Lead Scientist Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Phone: +49 (0) 5542 607 19 Skype: brigitte.a.kaufmann
Training	Brigitte Kaufmann studied agricultural sciences at the Universities Bonn and Hohenheim. She specialised in livestock sciences with emphasis on tropical livestock systems and holds a doctoral degree in agricultural sciences from the University of Hohenheim (1998).
Career	From 1999 to 2006 she was assistant professor at the Institute of Animal Production in the Tropics and Subtropics at Hohenheim University. From 2003 to 2005 she took sabbatical leave as visiting scientist at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) for her DFG funded habilitation research. Since January 2007 she is associate professor (Privatdozentin) at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Hohenheim University. She joined DITSL as senior scientist in March 2008.
Experience abroad	Since 1992 Brigitte Kaufmann continuously leads research projects in Kenya and since 2000 in Vietnam. She has short term experience in various countries in Africa and Asia.
Research	Her research focus is on production system analysis, mainly in low external input systems. Starting out from production theory, her approach shifted towards decision and system theory as means for understanding systems. Her current focus is on transdisciplinary research and dialogue between knowledge systems.
Current Research Projects	GrassNet "Cross-continental network for sustainable adaptation of grassland systems vulnerable to climate change" (Coordinator for DITSL) ICDD "International Centre for Development and Decent Work" (a centre of excellence for development research) ClimaLearn: Mutual learning of livestock keepers and scientists for adaptation to climate change in pastoral areas CarbonQuest: Livelihood diversifying potential of livestock based carbon sequestration options in pastoral and agro-pastoral systems in Africa
Completed Research Projects	Supporting the vulnerable: Increasing the adaptive capacity of agro-pastoralists to climatic change in West and Southern Africa using a transdisciplinary research approach (BMZ) [» further information] Improving the Livelihoods of Poor Livestock-keepers in Africa through Community-Based Management of Indigenous Farm Animal Genetic Resources (BMZ) / at the University of Hohenheim [» further information] Efficiency of smallholder animal husbandry depending on intensity of management and genetic potential of livestock in mountainous regions of northern Vietnam within the Collaborative Research Centre (SFB 564) "The Uplands Program" founded by the German research council (DFG) / at the University of Hohenheim [» further information]
Teaching	Brigitte Kaufmann has lectured on tropical livestock production and organic livestock farming at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Hohenheim. From the WS 2008/09 she lectures on local knowledge and socio-ecological systems at the Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences of the University of Kassel at Witzenhausen and the University of Hohenheim.