Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Maria Kaufmann. I'm working on sustainability transformations and the role of justice therein. I have a background in Environmental Sciences, but moved during my PhD trajectory into the social sciences, namely Environmental Governance and Politics. Students are likely to encounter me in the Bachelor GPM, where I'm teaching courses like Academische Vaardigheden and Globalising Worlds, and the Master ESS, where I'm involved in the Environmental Justice course and Research Methods and Preparing the Master Thesis.
But in the last 8 years, I taught in many other courses as well. Additionally, I am co-coordinating the research hotspot TransAct (Transformations for Sustainability in Action) at the Nijmegen School of Management.
Why did you choose to study/work in this field? What makes this field so interesting?
During my undergraduate, I realized that sustainability challenges are often also 'governance' challenges. In other words, experts often know the technical solution, but don't manage to implement it in practice, or pay little attention to the global societal consequences of interventions. Hence, as a researcher I'm interested in two main issues: (1) understanding these transformations and what are institutional and societal processes contributing to stability or change; and (2) critically reflecting on the 'justice elements of transformations, i.e., who decides on these transformations, who is being excluded, and who carries the burdens and benefits. Of course, the end goal is to contribute insights that bring society a step further into a sustainable future.
What are you currently doing your own research on?
I'm involved in a diverse set of research projects, such as energy poverty in the Netherlands (JUST PREPARE), analysing the role of safeguards in REDD+ projects in Ghana, or analysing the development of alternative economic discourses (e.g., Wellbeing Economy or Buen Vivir).
What advice do you have for students making their study choice?
It is important to think carefully about your interests and passions, what drives you? Maybe the answer is not so clear-cut yet, but that's okay. Studying is also about finding yourself and exploring things. My main advice is: you study for yourself, so make the most out of it.