„On top of the justice issue, I am indirectly looking at the preparation of Global South countries in climate mitigation“

An interview with our fellow Eda Bülbül

Energy transition and projects about Sub-Saharan Africa

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

Eda: Firstly, through my previous research role on just energy transition and then through my work experience in energy access projects focusing on Sub-Saharan Africa, I realized I wanted to deep dive into the topic of just energy transition and PhD was the only way to understand such a concept thoroughly. However, I knew I did not want to work on it alone, so I decided to apply to the Research Training Group.

„Standards are one way to potentially achieve system change“

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

Eda: I am a sceptical fan of Standards of Governance to put it shortly. On one side, I absolutely recognize the coloniality and the power structures behind these standards have on the developing countries and vulnerable communities in Global South but on the other side as someone working on topics of Climate, Energy and Environmental Justice, I believe we need a systemic change in how we move forward and standards are one way to potentially achieve that.

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

Eda: Thematically I am working on energy governance. My research is on the newly developed partnerships between Global North and South countries called „Just Energy Transition Partnerships“. Concepts of Energy Justice and Just Transition have been receiving great attention from researchers as well as the policy makers in the recent years. However, there is no consensus or standard that explains what constitutes ‘just transition’. With my work, I am trying to understand whether and how the countries from Global South are attempting to define this standard.

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

Eda: I would say social justice and inclusion are indispensable components of just transition. Therefore, my research project is actively looking at the issues that society is concerned with. On top of the justice issue, I am indirectly looking at the preparation of Global South countries in climate mitigation (via lowering their emissions coming from fossil fuels) which is extremely important as we are trying to limit the global warming to 1.5°.

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

Eda: Absolutely, the Research Training Group enabled me to understand the complexity and variety of the Standards of Governance which is now reflected better on my research. To give you a concrete example; each semester two of the PIs organize advanced seminars (Oberseminar) on different topics. This semester my PI Prof Lederer and Prof Nölke are organizing seminars on the Standards in the Global South which I am certain that will take my understanding of standards into another level.

„Often it is eye opening to see how different disciplines work“

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?

Eda: I would say being around other candidates regularly and engaging in productive debates helped me in my work and more in managing a better mental health. Furthermore, we get to have exchanges with our projects’ network of researchers and experts. We also have a chance to conduct a research and/or field visit funded by the project which is for my work crucial.

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?

Eda: Often it is eye opening to see how different disciplines work and approach different concepts and issues. However, I do not find it helpful all the time because I am not a German speaker. I learned that in Germany some disciplines have a strong tradition to function only in German and not in English as I expected from an International Research Training Group. We are trying to overcome this challenge to ensure each member of the group can benefit from this interdisciplinary setting.

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

Eda: I find it positive that we have such a partnership. To give you a concrete example, we have thematical working groups on digitalization, EU governance, democracy, and Global North-South relations. The group that I work with had two colleagues from Goethe University and they have been extremely helpful while inspecting North-South dynamics on standards.

„I expect to collect relevant and extensive data through the visit of energy transition partner countries in the Global South“

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

Eda: I am planning on going to one of the just energy transition partner countries in the Global South. I expect to collect relevant and extensive data through this visit and understand the context that is far away from Germany’s or Europe’s. Furthermore, I expect to network international and national researchers focusing in the same issues.

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

Eda: I will be focusing on the polishing my first article on energy justice principles and moving more to the empirical research eventually. Then of course I will have to work on the preparation of my research stay about which I am overly excited.

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

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