Lilli Scheiterle’s MSc thesis entitled “Opportunities and Challenges in the Production of Maize in Northern Ghana”and Athena Birkenberg’s “Forest Access and Governance: A Case Study on Karen Community Forestry in Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand”, both graduates from the University of Hohenheim wins the Hans H. Ruthenberg Award for Graduates 2012. This award is given to excellent young scientists whose topics are 1) highly relevant and discussed, 2) innovative which uses new methodological and theoretical trends in research, 3) sound and has a critical analysis of the data, and 4) a policy relevance of the recommendations specifically to developing countries. Part 2: Interview with Athena Birkenberg How do you feel right now? I am really honored and I felt even more honored after the laudation because I just realized what the award really means and the reasons why the award was given to me. What were the challenges you faced in the field? There were many challenges! First, it was a challenge having my daughter with me while doing my empirical work. The situation also changed when I was in the field so I had to adjust the topic. There were times when I ask myself, “Am I doing the right thing? What is the advantage of my research? What is my ethical obligation to the people who gave me the time and information when I know that I am not there to help? How can I convince the people to share me the information that I need?”. In the end, I sent my thesis, photos and I had to protect the information they gave me by not naming the communities I studied. You never know where this information go. What is the benefit of the award to you? Any plans for a PhD? The award can help me, for example, it can make it easier for Professors to get interested in me when I apply for a PhD. It is a very positive impression to whoever I send applications. For now, I am a research fellow in the Soils Science Institute in the University of Hohenheim. This job orients my perspectives for the next years. Entering a Phd is a process and it should definitely match my interest and ideas. Find the interview of the other awardees: Lilli Scheiterle http://blog.tropentag.de/node/244 Reginald Guuroh http://blog.tropentag.de/node/209