Katharina Weber
GEM-DIAMOND doctoral fellow
ESR 9 – Contesting national sovereignty? Transnational civil society activism and EU external action against deforestation
Driven by a deep concern for our planet and global injustices paired with the constant desire to understand issues to the core, I have a particular inclination to conduct research which links academia and practice.
Contesting national sovereignty? Transnational civil society activismand EU external action against deforestation
Supervisors
- Jonathan Zeitlin
- Thomas Christiansen
Research abstract
In my research I will analyse the EU’s role in, and response to, transnational campaigns centring on global governance challenges where national sovereignty is a key issue. So far, the EU’s approach in the Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) is characterised by systematic learning and participatory decision-making processes. The new proposed Regulation on deforestation-free products breaks with the current experimentalist approach, relying on more hierarchical and unilateral structures. I will therefore analyse the external action policy instruments available to the EU, focusing specifically on the new proposed Regulation. My research will encompass the policy-making process in Brussels on this issue, including the influence of civil society organizations, as well as the interactions with stakeholders in producer countries.
Brandi, C., Holzer, K., Morin, J.-F., van Asselt, H., & Weber, K. (2023). "Trade and climate change: How to design better climate-related provisions in Preferential Trade Agreements" (Policy Brief 21/2023). Bonn: IDOS. https://doi.org/10.23661/ipb21.2023.
Zangl, M., Weber, K., Zahid, M. U., & Holzner, M. (2021). "Environmental Impact Evaluation of a European High-Speed Railway Network along the 'European Silk Road'",. In F. Cerniglia, F. Saraceno, & A. Watt (Eds.), The Great Reset: 2021 European Public Investment Outlook (Vol. 10). Open Book Publishers. https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0280.
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Stepping Outside Academia: My Time at CEPS
13 October 2024
A fellow shares her experiences during the non-academic secondment
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Do Good and Talk About It: GEM-DIAMOND's Green Plan
11 October 2024
An outline of the GEM-DIAMOND's sustainability commitments
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The Power of Methods
21 August 2023
Reflections on a 3-day methods workshop attended by the GEM fellows at the University of Amsterdam
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Forest protection(ism)? Perceptions of the European Deforestation Regulation
28 April 2023
The EUDR aims to halt EU-driven deforestation worldwide. Responses reflect the struggle between environmental interests and political power conflicts.
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Birth of the GEM-DIAMOND Fellowship of the Ph.D.
1 October 2022
16 MSCA Fellows successfully selected following a gruelling selection process.