This working group focuses on the complex intertwined relationships established between humans and their natural environments mediated by technological innovations. Potential researchers should be interested in sectors such as agribusiness, forestry and management, environmental conservation, and socio-environmental sustainability.
SENTIR’s first common project analyses the impacts of Chinese trade and investments on the Amazon, starting with an investigation into the soy trade. The project focuses on studying the impact of the increase in trade and the incremental expansion of soy plantations on deforestation rates in the Brazilian legal Amazon. Based on a collaborative effort with Brazilian scholars, further common activities have been developed, especially in outreach and research output.
Topical Focus
- Local impact of Chinese investments in the Brazilian legal Amazon
- Consultation processes of indigenous peoples and minorities
- Localizing the SDGs and SDG reporting mechanisms
- Participation in development projects
- Water-related issues
- Social enterpreneurship and local development
Geographic Focus
- The Brazilian legal Amazon
- Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, other Latin American countries
Achievements
- Outreach activities: GIMLA Global Power Reconfigurations (04.2019), Concluding event on Emilio Moran’s Excellence Research Chair (2019)
- Network and Funding: Movetia support for Negotiating the Amazon (05.2019),
- Publications: paper on the Chinese-driven frontier expansion in the Amazon (2020) and Coloniality and Pandemic Misgovernance as Necropolitical Tool in the Amazon (in press)
- HSG master and bachelor thesis: 11 completed, 13 ongoings (11.2021)
- HSG Courses: Global Water Challenges (each SS), Latam Compact Negotiating the Amazon (each AS), Latam Compact Coffee, Coca, and Conflict in Colombia (SS 2022)
Opportunities
Currently no specific call available. Please send us a request to verify our current supervision capacities and potential topics.