Tim Christian Wegenast
Dr.
Biografie
Sustainable Development · Environmental Governance · International Political Economy · Climate Change · Peace and Conflict · Brazilian Politics
Tim Wegenast studies the political, economic and institutional conditions that shape sustainable development, environmental governance and peace. His work explores how societies can pursue more inclusive development, manage land and natural resources sustainably, and address climate change and violent conflict.
With a particular focus on the Global South, he investigates the links between broader economic and political dynamics and local challenges, from rural development and climate adaptation to conflict prevention. His research brings together international relations, international political economy, sustainable development, and peace and conflict studies. His long experience of living in Brazil has shaped his interest in rural poverty and social inequalities. He has published in leading international journals and led externally funded research projects.
Tim holds a PhD in Political Science from Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona. He has held interim professorships at the universities of Konstanz, Mannheim and Zeppelin, and teaching and research positions at the University of Zurich and at the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA). He is currently a lecturer at the University of Lucerne and teaches a seminar on the causes of intrastate violence at the University of Fribourg. Through teaching and public engagement, he seeks to connect social science with the questions and challenges that matter beyond academia.
Current research interests:
- How can we govern natural resources and land more sustainably and equitably?
- What makes international environmental and climate cooperation work?
- Under what conditions do climate shocks, resource wealth and social inequalities contribute to violent conflict – and how can conflict be prevented?
- How do state and customary institutions shape climate adaptation and rural development?