We are always happy about interest in our work. Depending on the current situation, there are various ways of working together, which we would like to briefly present below. Offers in these categories are continuously updated.

Master theses

Within our capacities, we continuously offer supervision (as first or second supervisor) of master theses. Our interdisciplinary team works on the nexus of law, climate- and resource protection, planning and sustainable development. Currently, we research climate and resource protection in and by cities. Next to the planning of strategic climate and resource protection in international metropolises, we also study the involvement of cities in polycentric environmental governance.

Further research topics are the legal steering of the energy transition in a system with several scales/layers, the integration of environment- and climate protection in international trade regimes as well as environment and climate protection in courts. Depending on the research question, we work with methods of legal, social and environmental sciences, often in internationally comparative case studies.

We offer supervision of theses in the following fields. Write to us if you are interested in working with us!

 1. Thesis topics based on your original research interests:

Any topic related to (international, European, comparative)
• Environmental law, energy (transition) law, planning law
• You can work on different scales from global to local
• Interdisciplinary studies are very welcome and supported
• You can also work in teams of two.

2. Thesis topics in the context of ongoing research projects:

• Suggestions based on the current project INTEGRA: tba (email Marina Klimke)
• Suggestions based on the current project Urban Footprints: "Accountability of climate planning in the context of inequality and economic growth in developing cities" [Download pdf]  (email Ahmed Tarek al Ahwal)
• Suggestions around nutrients, resources and phosphorus, in particular: "Understanding global phosphorus dynamics and governance mechanisms" [Download pdf] (email Lisa Harseim)
• Suggestions around urban citizen participation-. tba. (email Nikita John)
• Suggestions based on the current project I4C: tba. (email Lina Irscheid)
• Klimapolis: Synergies between climate and air pollution regulation and planning in São Paulo and potentially other Brazilian cities. The work could also encompass a comparison with other cities of the Urban Footprints Project: Shenzhen, New Delhi, Cairo, Lagos, New York, Toronto, Hamburg.

  First reading: Klimapolis Laboratory: http://klimapolis.net/ (email Prof. Cathrin Zengerling)

• Energy Transition / Deep Decarbonization / Climate-related regulation: From a multilevel and international comparative perspective. Special focus on trends, dynamics and effects of energy / climate-related regulation. Could cover findings of meta-assessments on current state of regulation as e.g. provided for by the UNEP Emissions Gap Report or the Climate Action Tracker and then focus on regulation and related dynamics in one or two countries, preferably but not limited to: China, India, EU, Germany, Brazil, US, Canada, Egypt and Nigeria (email Prof. Cathrin Zengerling)
• International Trade Law and Environmental Protection: Analyses at the intersection of international trade law and environmental protection. Covered regimes of international trade law: WTO law, Free Trade Agreements (e.g. EU-Mercosur, CPTPP, CETA, ongoing negotiations e.g. between EU and Indonesia etc.), Investment Treaties (e.g. ongoing negotiations EU-China) or Economic Partnership Agreements. Tailored reading material will be provided in the respective field of interest.(email Prof. Cathrin Zengerling)
• Law and Uncertainty: Legislative, administrative as well as judicial decision have to cope with different degrees of uncertainty, especially in the field environmental and climate-related law and regulation. How does the legal framework cope with this challenge? Is there any normative guidance on how to deal with uncertainty in different contexts? Based on which methodological foundations, e.g. risk assessments, should environmental targets (e.g. the 2° goal or the EU climate target) be set? What kind of risk assessment should be part of legislative or administrative decision-making in large infrastructure projects? (email Prof. Cathrin Zengerling)
• Climate Litigation: A growing number of climate change related cases is filed in courts all over the world. The thesis explores these new dynamics from global, regional or national perspectives. Which role does climate litigation play in the overall transition to a zero/low carbon world? How does it interact with other drivers of deep decarbonization (especially climate-related regulation, company divestment and climate protests)? 

  First reading material: http://climatecasechart.com/  & https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/publication/global-trends-in-climate-change-litigation-2020-snapshot/ (email Prof. Cathrin Zengerling)

Research collaboration

Cooperation with experts from other fields opens up a wide field of innovative research opportunities. Traditionally we work together internationally and interdisciplinary with experienced partners. Via participation in Real World Labs, climate committees, conferences etc. we explore new grounds - methodically as well as content-wise. Are you familiar with our research? We are interested in hearing any questions or ideas for collaboration that you might have - contact us.

Open Positions

Teamwork is not just a buzzword for us but is actively practised. We keep hierarchies flat and appreciate the contribution of every team member equally and maintain open communication with each other. Our motivated student assistants are not only incorporated into administrative tasks but also in teaching and research. Doctoral candidates are holistically supervised and supported. Our team is growing and we grow together.

• Currently, we do not have any open positions, unfortunately. Feel free to come back later!

Energy Transition / Deep Decarbonization / Climate-related Regulation

From a multilevel and international comparative perspective. Special focus on trends, dynamics and effects of energy / climate-related regulation. Could cover findings of meta-assessments on current state of regulation as e.g. provided for by the UNEP Emissions Gap Report or the Climate Action Tracker and then focus on regulation and related dynamics in one or two countries, preferably but not limited to: China, India, EU, Germany, Brazil, US, Canada, Egypt and Nigeria.