Project description

Science is widely considered a fundamental ingredient to address the global challenges the world faces today. At the same time, it can also be a powerful tool to facilitate dialogue across cultures, not least within diplomatic settings. Intergovernmental organizations of the United Nations system represent crucial venues in this particular regard. Nevertheless, the tendency of such organizations to privilege scientific knowledge over other forms of knowledge has come increasingly under scrutiny.

My project investigates how the International Seabed Authority addresses contestation of its epistemic authority and seeks to meet increasing demands for epistemic pluralism. By offering insights into challenges and opportunities for knowledge inclusion in the framework of an increasingly relevant intergovernmental organization, the project aims to stimulate reflections on the role of knowledge diversity for effective and inclusive policy-making. Through this project, I also hope to provide inspiration for strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration across disciplines and epistemic cultures.

Short Bio

I am a social scientist with an interdisciplinary background straddling the fields of International Relations (IR) and Science & Technology Studies (STS). My main field of expertise is the relation between science and policy in global environmental and sustainability governance. I am particularly interested in epistemic agency and mechanisms of knowledge production within intergovernmental organizations.