Mourning for Franz Nuscheler: pioneer of development research has died

Mourning for Franz Nuscheler: pioneer of development research has died

On July 31, 2025, the world of development research suffered a significant loss: Prof. em. Dr. Franz Nuscheler, the founding director of the Institute for Development and Peace (INEF), died at the age of 87. His life's work has shaped not only science but also political practice in Germany for decades. As a political scientist, Nuscheler was a driving force in the central debates in development research and was also very respected as a teacher at the University of Duisburg-Essen. epo.de reports that he viewed development policy as a topic that urgently needs to be the focus of the global discussion.

Nuscheler's academic career began in Heidelberg, where he studied political science, history and public law. His doctorate in 1967 on “Walter Bagehot and English Constitutional Theory” under Dolf Sternberger laid the foundation for his later career. After a time as a research assistant and senior advisor at the University of Hamburg, he became professor of comparative and international politics at the Gerhard Mercator University in Duisburg in 1974. He taught there until his retirement in 2003 and helped many students gain a deeper understanding of international contexts.

A legacy of knowledge

After founding INEF in 1990, Nuscheler ensured that the institute was recognized as the scientific basis for the “Development and Peace” foundation initiated by Willy Brandt. Under his leadership, the INEF addressed fundamental issues such as human rights, democracy, international migration and the creation of global governance, which shaped many of its publications, such as the “Handbook of the Third World” and the “Learning and Workbook for Development Policy”. According to information from uni-due.de, his writings not only offered scientific depth, but were also politically relevant, which served as valuable guidance for many actors in the political scene.

Nuscheler was awarded the Order of Merit of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia in 2001 and was active on various scientific advisory boards, including the Bundestag's Enquête Commission “Globalization of the World Economy”. His insights and ideas have contributed to development policy being viewed as part of a global structural policy, thereby providing lasting impetus for the fields of peace and conflict research.

Future prospects through education

Modern master's programs such as those in the field of international studies/peace and conflict research, which are offered at the Goethe University in Frankfurt and the Technical University of Darmstadt, show that Nuscheler's legacy also lives on in education. Such programs are known for their interdisciplinary focus, which includes political science, sociology, philosophy, and much more. uni-frankfurt.de explains that students not only acquire theoretical knowledge here, but can also gain concrete practical experience through internships.

Students learn the application of empirical social research and develop research designs that are in demand in an increasingly complex world. In addition, international orientations and the opportunity to study at partner universities offer much more than just an academic degree - they prepare young people for the challenges of a globalized society.

Franz Nuscheler's contribution to development research will not be forgotten, and his commitment to peace and development will continue to inspire future generations. While the world mourns the loss of a pioneer, many look with hope to the future challenges that Nuscheler repeatedly placed at the center of his work.