Marleen Dekker

Marleen Dekker is Professor of Inclusive Development in Africa at Leiden University and Director of the African Studies Centre Leiden. She is trained as a human geographer and holds a PhD in Development Economics. Marleen Dekker's research is interdisciplinary in nature and analyses the role of social norms and networks in accessing markets and local socio-economic development. The focus of her work is on behavioural determinants of access to and use of formal and informal financial services, including informal insurance networks, community-based health insurance and intra-household resource sharing. In a new initiative, Marleen facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration with natural scientists to develop African air quality and climate change models.

Marleen has collaborated in several international research projects in Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Togo, Kenya, Zambia and Nigeria on social networks, insurance, CSO advocacy, marriage and intra-household collaboration. From 2014 to 2021, Marleen was the coordinator of the Secretariat of INCLUDE, the Knowledge Platform on Inclusive Development Policies in Africa. The platform supports research, shares relevant knowledge with policy makers and practitioners and organises international policy dialogues on inclusive development themes both in The Netherlands and in African countries.

She is the academic coordinator of the LDE minor African Dynamics and the academic lead of the EUniWell SPOC: Decentring global epistemologies of Well-being. Marleen is a also member of INCLUDE knowledge platform, the AIV-COS as well as the NWO-NWA-SDG initiative group.  

Keywords: inclusive development, markets, social networks, marriage, financial inclusion, land reform, air quality and climate change.

2021: Director African Studies Centre Leiden
2017: Professor Inclusive Development in Africa at Leiden University (read her Inaugural Address)
2014: Coordinator INCLUDE Knowledge Platform
2007: Senior researcher African Studies Centre Leiden
2004-2007: Post-doctoral Researcher Vrije Universiteit
1999-2004: PhD research Risk Resettlement and Relations in Zimbabwe
1994: MA Human Geography (with distinction)

CV Marleen Dekker (pdf)

(Photo credit: Sandra Hazenberg).

Prof. Dr. M. (Marleen) Dekker
Senior researcher
+31 (0)71 527 6715
Room number: 3.A07
Displaying 1 - 72 of 72

In the air tonight: satellite-based air quality data and inclusive development in Africa: a scoping review of the literature
(2024)
M. Dekker; A. Kazimierczuk; R. Garland; D. Stein-Zweers; P. Levelt
Type of Publication: Other

Bridging boundaries through virtual well-being exchange
(2023)
M. Dekker; M. Ditmars
Type of Publication: Other

Afrika; hulp & handel in perspectief ; lessen uit het veld
(2023)
S. Lijfering; A. Kazimierczuk; C.U. Uche; A. Akinyoade; M. Dekker
Type of Publication: Other

Social norms and financial decision-making: technical update
(2023)
A. Barr; M. Dekker; LT. Zuze
Type of Publication: Other

Introduction to the special issue: policies for inclusive development in Africa
(2022)
M. Dekker; N. Pouw
Type of Publication: Journal Article

(In)decent work for youth in agro-industrial value chains in Uganda
(2022)
C.E. Swinkels; O.O. Miroro; M. Dekker
Editors: P. Goulart; R. Ramos; G. Ferrittu
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Social norms and financial funded by decision-making in Zambia: technical brief
(2021)
A. Barr; M. Dekker; A. Hochleitner; LT. Zuze
Type of Publication: Other

Inequalities in higher education in low‐ and middle‐income countries: a scoping review of the literature
(2021)
S. Reinders; M. Dekker; J.-B. Falisse
Type of Publication: Journal Article

Economic consequences of ill-health in rural Ethiopia
(2021)
Z. Yilma; A.D. Mebratie; R. Sparrow; M. Dekker; G. Alemu; A.S. Bedi
Type of Publication: Journal Article

Entrepreneurship in microfranchising: an emerging market perspective
(2020)
H.E. Awuh; M. Dekker
Type of Publication: Journal Article

Inequalities in higher education in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review of the literature
(2020)
S. Reinders; M. Dekker; J.-B. Falisse
Type of Publication: Journal Article

Seven principles for inclusive development policy-making
(2019)
M. Dekker; S. Hollander; F. van Kesteren
Type of Publication: Other

Cooperation in polygynous households
(2019)
A. Barr; M. Dekker; W. Janssens; B. Kebede; B. Kramer
Type of Publication: Journal Article

Inclusive development in Africa
(2019)
S. Reinders; M. Dekker; F. van Kesteren; L.W. Oudenhuijsen
Type of Publication: Other

Boosting productive employment in Africa: policy publication
(2019)
S. Hollander; M. Dekker
Type of Publication: Other

Youth are the present, not only the future!
(2019)
A. Kazimierczuk; M. Dekker
Type of Publication: Other

Leaving no one behind? Social inclusion of health insurance in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review
(2019)
S.G.M.van Hees; T. O’Fallon; M. Hofker; M. Dekker; S. Polack; L.M. Banks; E.J.A.M. Spaan
Type of Publication: Journal Article

Interim findings: civil society engagement with land rights advocacy in Kenya
(2019)
M. Spierenburg; M. Matelski; S. Zijlstra; L. van Kempen; M. Dekker; A. Nangulu; B. Otundo
Type of Publication: Other

Civil society engagement with land rights advocacy in Kenya: what roles to play? Literature review
(2018)
M. Matelski; B. Otundo; S. Zijlstra; M. Dekker; L. van Kempen; A. Nangulu; M. Spierenburg
Type of Publication: Other

The business case for social protection in Africa
(2018)
F. van Kesteren; M. Dekker; O. Miroro; F. Gassmann; E. Timár
Type of Publication: Other

Strategic actors for inclusive development in Africa
(2018)
S. Hollander; M. Dekker; O. Miroro; F. van Kesteren; J. Bossuyt
Type of Publication: Other

Inclusive development : not business as usual!
(2018)
M. Dekker
Type of Publication: Journal Article

Boosting productive employment in Africa : what works and why?
(2018)
M. Dekker; W. Simbanegavi; S. Hollander; O. Miroro
Type of Publication: Other

From macro to micro: how smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe are coping with dollarization
(2017)
M. Dekker
Editors: W.E.A. van Beek; J.C.M. Damen; D.W.J. Foeken
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Inclusive development in Africa
(2017)
M. Dekker
Type of Publication: Other

Boosting youth employment in Africa : what works and why?
(2017)
M. Dekker; S. Hollander
Type of Publication: Other

Cooperation in polygynous households
(2017)
A. Barr; M. Dekker; W. Janssens; B. Kebede; B. Kramer
Type of Publication: Other

Highlights of the strategic actors synthesis report
(2017)
S. Hollander; M. Dekker; F. van Kesteren
Type of Publication: Other

The evidence base on what works to promote youth employment
(2017)
F. van Kesteren; M. Dekker; S. Hollander
Type of Publication: Other

Impact of Ethiopia's Community-Based Health Insurance on household economic welfare
(2015)
Z. Yilma; A. Mebratie; R. Sparrow; M. Dekker; G. Alemu; A.S. Bedi
Type of Publication: Journal Article

The impact of Ethiopia's community-based health insurance on household economic welfare : a policy brief
(2015)
Z. Yilma; A. Mebratie; R. Sparrow; M. Dekker; G. Alemu; A.S. Bedi
Type of Publication: Other

Resettlement in Zimbabwe: final destination from the zones of transition
(2015)
M. Dekker
Editors: A. Akinyoade; J.B. Gewald
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

The formation of community-based organizations : an analysis of a quasi-experiment in Zimbabwe
(2015)
A. Barr; M. Dekker; M. Fafchamps
Type of Publication: Journal Article

Shocks and coping strategies in rural Ethiopia: a policy brief
(2014)
Z. Yilma; A. Mebratie; R. Sparrow; D. Abebaw; M. Dekker; G. Alemu; A.S. Bedi
Type of Publication: Other

Coping with shocks in rural Ethiopia
(2014)
Z. Yilma; A. Mebratie; R. Sparrow; D. Abebaw; M. Dekker; G. Alemu; A.S. Bedi
Type of Publication: Journal Article

Impact of Ethiopia's Community Based Health Insurance on household economic welfare
(2014)
M. Dekker; Z.Y. Debebe; A. Mebratie; R. Sparrow; G. Alemu; A.S. Bedi
Type of Publication: Other

Coping with shocks in rural Ethiopia
(2013)
M. Dekker; Z.Y. Debebe; A. Mebratie; R. Sparrow; D. Abebaw; G. Alemu; A.S. Bedi
Type of Publication: Other

Who shares risk with whom under different enforcement mechanisms?
(2012)
A. Barr; M. Dekker; M. Fafchamps
Type of Publication: Journal Article

Bridging the gender divide: an experimental analysis of group formation in African villages
(2012)
A. Barr; M. Dekker; M. Fafchamps
Type of Publication: Journal Article

'It is time to start my own farm': the unforeseen effects of two waves of resettlement on household formation in Zimbabwe
(2012)
M. Dekker; B. Kinsey
Editors: J.B. Gewald; A.H.M. Leliveld; I. Peša
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Creating inclusive communities: the results of resettlement in Zimbabwe
(2011)
M. Dekker; A. Barr
Type of Publication: Other

Contextualizing Zimbabwe's land reform: long term observations from the first generation
(2011)
M. Dekker; B. Kinsey
Type of Publication: Journal Article

Who shares risk with whom under different enforcement mechanisms?
(2010)
A. Barr; M. Dekker; M. Fafchamps
Type of Publication: Other

Can't buy me health: financial constraints and health seeking behaviour among rural household members in Central Togo
(2010)
M. Dekker; A.H.M. Leliveld; C. 't Hart; J. Gnimadi
Editors: M. Dekker; R.A. van Dijk
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Individual or shared responsibility: who finances treatment of illnesses in households in rural Ethiopia?
(2010)
M. Dekker
Editors: M. Dekker; R.A. van Dijk
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Health insurance and other risk-coping strategies in Uganda: the case of Microcare Insurance Ltd
(2010)
M. Dekker; A. Wilms
Type of Publication: Journal Article

Introduction: economic ethnographies of the marketization of health and healing in Africa
(2010)
M. Dekker; R.A. van Dijk
Editors: M. Dekker; R.A. van Dijk
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Markets of well-being: navigating health and healing in Africa
(2010)
Editors: M. Dekker; R.A. van Dijk
Type of Publication: Book

Bridging the gender divide: an experimental analysis of group formation in African villages
(2009)
A. Barr; M. Dekker; M. Fafchamps
Type of Publication: Other

Zuid-Afrika reisgids
(2009)
M. Dekker
Type of Publication: Book

Intra-household differences in coping with illness in rural Ethiopia
(2008)
M. Dekker
Editors: M.M.E.M. Rutten; A.H.M. Leliveld; D.W.J. Foeken
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

Risk sharing relations and enforcement mechanisms
(2008)
A. Barr; M. Dekker; M. Fafchamps
Type of Publication: Other

Trends in non-consumption dimensions of welfare for Tanzania, 1992-2000
(2006)
M. Dekker; J. Hoogeveen
Type of Publication: Conference Paper

Micro-macro verbanden in Tanzania : waar zit de kink in de kabel?
(2005)
M. Dekker; M. Eeckhout
Type of Publication: Journal Article

Sustainability and Resourcefulness : Support Networks During Periods of Stress
(2004)
M. Dekker
Type of Publication: Journal Article

Bride wealth and household security in rural Zimbabwe
(2002)
M. Dekker; H. Hoogeveen
Type of Publication: Journal Article

NGO's and environmental dilemmas in Zimbabwe
(1999)
A.J. Dietz; M. Dekker
Editors: H.van den Breemer; L.B. Venema
Type of Publication: Book Chapter

NGO's and environmental dilemmas in Zimbabwe
(1997)
A.J. Dietz; M. Dekker
Type of Publication: Conference Paper
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3

Zuid-Afrika reisgids
Haarlem: Dominicus, 2009
M. Dekker

Estimating wealth effects without expenditure data : an asset based wealth index for rural Ethiopia
Addis Abeba: Ethiopian Economics Association, Proceedings 3rd International Conference on the Ethiopian Economy 2006
M. Dekker

Risk, resettlement and relations : social security in rural Zimbabwe
Amsterdam: Thela Thesis, Tinbergen Institute research series ; no. 331 2004
M. Dekker
Full text

'(In)decent work for youth in agro-industrial value chains in Uganda'
In: P. Goulart; R. Ramos; G. Ferrittu: 'Global labour in distress, volume II: earnings, (in)decent work and institutions', Glam: Springer, 2022.

'From macro to micro: how smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe are coping with dollarization'
In: W.E.A. van Beek; J.C.M. Damen; D.W.J. Foeken: 'The face of Africa: essays in honour of Ton Dietz', Leiden: African Studies Centre Leiden (ASCL), 2017.

'Resettlement in Zimbabwe: final destination from the zones of transition'
In: A. Akinyoade; J.B. Gewald: 'African roads to prosperity: people en route to socio-cultural and economic transformation', Leiden: Brill, 2015.

''It is time to start my own farm': the unforeseen effects of two waves of resettlement on household formation in Zimbabwe'
In: J.B. Gewald; A.H.M. Leliveld; I. Peša: 'Transforming innovations in Africa: explorative studies on appropriation in African societies', Leiden: Brill, 2012.

'Introduction: economic ethnographies of the marketization of health and healing in Africa'
In: M. Dekker; R.A. van Dijk: 'Markets of well-being: navigating health and healing in Africa', Leiden: Brill, 2010.

'Individual or shared responsibility: who finances treatment of illnesses in households in rural Ethiopia?'
In: M. Dekker; R.A. van Dijk: 'Markets of well-being: navigating health and healing in Africa', Leiden: Brill, 2010.

'Can't buy me health: financial constraints and health seeking behaviour among rural household members in Central Togo'
In: M. Dekker; R.A. van Dijk: 'Markets of well-being: navigating health and healing in Africa', Leiden: Brill, 2010.

'Intra-household differences in coping with illness in rural Ethiopia'
In: M.M.E.M. Rutten; A.H.M. Leliveld; D.W.J. Foeken: 'Inside Poverty and Development in Africa', Leiden: Brill, 2008.

'NGO's and environmental dilemmas in Zimbabwe'
In: H.van den Breemer; L.B. Venema: 'Towards negotiated comanagement of natural resources in Africa', Münster: LIT Verlag, 1999.
Full text

Markets of well-being: navigating health and healing in Africa
M. Dekker; R.A. van Dijk (editors)
Leiden: Brill, African dynamics 9, 2010.
Full text

'Introduction to the special issue: policies for inclusive development in Africa'
in: The European journal of development research, vol. 34, no. 5, pp. 2137-2155, 2022.
Full text

'Economic consequences of ill-health in rural Ethiopia'
in: Health systems & reform, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. (9), 2021.
Full text

'Entrepreneurship in microfranchising: an emerging market perspective'
in: Journal of entrepreneurship in emerging economies, 2020.

'Cooperation in polygynous households'
in: American economic journal: applied economics, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 266-283, 2019.
Full text

'Inclusive development : not business as usual!'
in: Vice Versa, pp. 50 - 51, 2018.

'Coping with shocks in rural Ethiopia'
in: Journal of development studies, vol. 50, no. 7, pp. 1009 - 1024, 2014.

'Bridging the gender divide: an experimental analysis of group formation in African villages'
in: World development, vol. 40, no. 10, pp. 2063-2077, 2012.

'Who shares risk with whom under different enforcement mechanisms?'
in: Economic development and cultural change, vol. 60, no. 4, pp. 677-706, 2012.

'Contextualizing Zimbabwe's land reform: long term observations from the first generation'
in: The journal of peasant studies, vol. 38, no. 5, pp. 995 - 1019, 2011.

'Estimating wealth effects without expenditure data : an asset based wealth index for rural Ethiopia'
in: Ethiopian Journal of Economics, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 35 - 54, 2006.

'Micro-macro verbanden in Tanzania : waar zit de kink in de kabel?'
in: Kwartaalschrift Economie, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 244 - 267, 2005.

'Sustainability and Resourcefulness : Support Networks During Periods of Stress'
in: World development, vol. 32, no. 10, pp. 1735 - 1751, 2004.

'Bride wealth and household security in rural Zimbabwe'
in: Journal of African economies, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 114 - 145, 2002.
Displaying 1 - 37 of 37
Lusaka: FSD Zambia (Financial Sector Deepening Zambia), 2023.
Den Haag: Liaison Parlement en Wetenschap, 2023.
Leiden: African Sstudies Centre Leiden (ASCL), ASCL Africanist Blog 2023.
Nottingham: Centre for Decision Research and Experimental Economics. University of Nottingham., CeDEx discussion paper series 2020-06, 2020.
Leiden: INCLUDE: Knowledge Platform on Inclusive Development Policies, 2019.
Leiden: INCLUDE: Knowledge Platform on Inclusive Development Policies, Synthesis report series 2019.
Leiden: INCLUDE: Knowledge Platform on Inclusive Development Policies, Synthesis report series 2019.
Leiden: INCLUDE: Knowledge Platform on Inclusive Development Policies, 2019.
Leiden: INCLUDE: Knowledge Platform on Inclusive Development Policies, 2019.
Leiden: INCLUDE: Knowledge Platform on Inclusive Development Policies, 2019.
Leiden; Nijmegen: African Studies Centre Leiden (ASCL); Radboud University, 2018.
Leiden: INCLUDE: Knowledge Platform on Inclusive Development Policies, Synthesis report series 2018.
Leiden: INCLUDE: Knowledge Platform on Inclusive Development Policies, Synthetic report series 2018.
Leiden: INCLUDE: Knowledge Platform on Inclusive Development Policies, Synthesis report series 2018.
Leiden: INCLUDE: Knowledge Platform on Inclusive Development Policies, 2017.
Leiden: INCLUDE: Knowledge Platform on Inclusive Development Policies, 2017.
Leiden: INCLUDE: Knowledge Platform on Inclusive Development Policies, 2017.
Leiden: INCLUDE: Knowledge Platform on Inclusive Development Policies, 2017.
Leiden University & African Studies Centre, 2017.
Washington, D.C.: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), IFPRI discussion paper 1625, 2017.
The Hague: Institute of Social Studies, Working paper 590, 2014.
Leiden: African Studies Centre, ASC info sheet 22, 2014.
Leiden: African Studies Centre, ASC working paper 110, 2013.
Leiden: African Studies Centre, ASC info sheet 10, 2011.
Leiden: African Studies Centre, ASC info sheet 7, 2009.
Leiden: African Studies Centre, ASC working paper 80, 2008.