“The currently dominant standards for ‘sustainable investment’ are set by a handful of players”

An interview with our fellow Robin Jaspert

The RTG as a collaborative environment

Romy & Jonathan: Hello Robin, you have been a member of the Research Training Group since April 2023. Could you share the motivations that led you to apply for the RTG “Standards of Governance”?

Robin: Pursuing a doctoral program within the framework of a Research Training Group provides a good degree of autonomy. Complementing this independence, the program fosters opportunities for intellectual exchange, facilitated by the presence of a cohort comprising eleven doctoral candidates and ten principal investigators. This collaborative setting not only reduces the risk of isolation often associated with the doctoral process but also offers significant advantages for professional development and networking, enriching the overall academic experience.

“A multitude of factors may influence why governments allocate a specific amount (Y) at a given point in time (X).”

Romy & Jonathan: The title of the RTG is quite broad. What are your preliminary reflections on the concept of “standards of governance”?

Robin: Standards of governance encompass a wide range of issues, as reflected in the diverse doctoral projects within the program. From the perspective of political economy, my field of expertise, such standards are frequently established by private market actors or multilateral institutions. These standards serve to align the behavior of various stakeholders, often determining access to specific markets and shaping economic outcomes. Critically analyzing who sets and enforces these standards, the interests they represent, and their broader implications provides us with valuable insights. For example, the dominant standards for “sustainable investment” are largely set by a small group of private market actors. This misalignment poses significant barriers to the meaningful transformation of the economy towards sustainability.

Romy & Jonathan: What is the focus of your research, and in which thematic direction is your dissertation progressing?

Robin: In my doctoral research, I investigate the determinants of government expenditures in the Global South. A multitude of factors may influence why governments allocate a specific amount (Y) at a given point in time (X). My analysis incorporates commonly cited explanatory variables, such as government revenues, exchange rate dynamics, re-financing structures, and fiscal standards imposed by institutions like credit rating agencies and the International Monetary Fund. Preliminary findings suggest that changes in government expenditures cannot be fully explained by structural factors or adherence to fiscal standards alone. Instead, political power struggles over the allocation of state resources frequently are decisive after all.

“The research question and my understanding of the field have evolved significantly.”

Romy & Jonathan: Thank you for providing insight into your project. To what degree does your research hold social relevance?

Robin: I believe my project holds significant social relevance, as the patterns of government expenditures in countries of the Global South differ fundamentally from those in the Global North, yet there is a notable gap in research regarding the underlying causes of changes in spending levels. This issue is particularly pressing in an era where countries in the Global South require substantial financial resources to address the increasingly severe impacts of the climate crisis. Understanding the determinants of government expenditures in this context is therefore of critical importance.

Romy & Jonathan: Has your doctoral project evolved or become more focused since you joined the RTG programme?

Robin: Certainly. I have been working on my research project for over a year, and during this time, both the research question and my understanding of the field have evolved significantly. This transformation is primarily the result of the close and insightful guidance provided by my supervisor.

“The friction that emerges from this process can be highly productive, as it compels a deeper examination of one’s own methodologies and assumptions.”

Romy & Jonathan: A doctorate within a Research Training Group differs from other forms of doctoral study in several ways. In your view, what are the key advantages of pursuing a doctorate within such a framework?

Robin: Certainly, there are concrete advantages, such as the four-year duration of the doctoral program (as opposed to the typical three years), the absence of teaching obligations, and only a limited number of administrative responsibilities. Beyond these practical aspects, however, I believe the structure of a large cohort collectively researching a common theme is particularly beneficial and intellectually stimulating.

Romy & Jonathan: The RTG comprises political scientists, sociologists, philosophers, and legal scholars. How does this interdisciplinarity and diversity contribute to the development of your doctoral project?

Robin: Interdisciplinarity often entails an initial increase in workload, as it requires reconciling diverse approaches and ways of thinking. However, the friction that emerges from this process can be highly productive, as it compels a deeper examination of one’s own methodologies and assumptions. This dynamic prevents me from becoming insulated within my field, which I view as a valuable aspect of the research experience.

Romy & Jonathan: How does the collaboration between the Goethe University and the Technical University of Darmstadt influence your research and doctoral project?

Robin: I collaborate closely with a colleague from TU Darmstadt within a working group focused on the North-South power dynamics of standards. Additionally, the cooperation means us fellows spend more time in the train between Darmstadt and Frankfurt. However, I believe that the primary benefit of the collaboration between two universities lies at the level of faculty engagement and interaction.

“Conducting research abroad and establishing international networks are therefore valuable for broadening perspectives and fostering a more inclusive approach to scholarship”

Romy & Jonathan: What benefits do you anticipate gaining from the international research opportunities provided within the framework of the Research Training Group?

Robin: It is a significant factor. The German academic system exhibits a pronounced tendency toward self-referentiality, which I am keen to avoid replicating in my own work. Conducting research abroad and establishing international networks is valuable for broadening perspectives and fostering a more inclusive approach to scholarship.

Romy & Jonathan: What are the key focus areas and objectives of your research in the coming months?

Robin: This summer, I will present my research project at several conferences. Based on the feedback I receive, I will assess whether my ideas, approaches, and conceptual frameworks are on track. Subsequently, I will revise the project and further refine both its theoretical foundations and empirical analysis.

Romy & Jonathan: Thank you very much for your interesting answers.

The interview was conducted by Romy Knappe and Jonathan Mück in July 2024.