By Ferlanda Luna (University of Coimbra)
MARGISTAR’s Ferlanda Luna recently participated in a Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) at ClimLaw: Graz in Graz, Austria. The mission focused on interdisciplinary research into data practices and examining their multiple dimensions, and provided a platform for discussing legal concepts and regulatory frameworks for managing climate vulnerabilities. This experience involved comparative desk research on urban public policies and risk management across different countries, enriching Ferlanda’s research methodologies and understanding of diverse climate impacts. Continue reading to learn more about the mission and its effects on Ferlanda’s research.
In June 2024, I was privileged to experience a pivotal moment of my scientific journey, courtesy of the MARGISTAR Short-Term Scientific Mission. This unique opportunity, hosted by Prof Oliver C. Ruppel at ClimLaw: Graz, marked a significant step in my early career as a researcher.
Combining Law and Urban Development
Considering my path as a lawyer and current PhD candidate in Political Economy at the Centre for Social Studies (CES) at the University of Coimbra, my research interests relate to studies about the Right to the City and public policies for urban development focused on formal settlements by encompassing social and economic indicators to improve local public policies. ClimLaw: Graz provided a fruitful place to discuss concepts, law regulation, and policymakers’ responsibilities to manage and evaluate measures to face the vulnerabilities of risk areas within the context of climate change.
During the STSM, I became acquainted with critical interdisciplinary and international research into emerging data practices, including its social, cultural, and experiential dimensions. This provided me with the essential tools to engage with my research using data from a multidimensional theoretical perspective. The research centre and its fellows created an environment that combined diverse perspectives and research through the lens of social, economic, and environmental policies.
My Experience: Building Together
The main goal of the STSM, besides accessing new methodological approaches and learning from different contexts and experiences, was conducting desk research based on the dimensions of public policies for urban development and legal regulations. Due to the team’s different contexts and countries, a draft was proposed to compare the scenarios of Austria, Brazil, Irao, and South Africa from the perspective of urban public policies and risk management. The focus was on developing a legal framework that addresses environmental crises and creating an assessment of the progress, or lack thereof, in legislation amongst the selected countries. In addition, it aimed to investigate and compare how public policies are coping with the environmental and social needs related to this “new” scenario.
Integration and Networking at ClimLaw: Graz
More than conducting a literature review and learning more about different research methodologies, I became fully integrated into the current activities at ClimLaw: Graz. Larissa Jane Houston, an Energy and Climate Law Researcher and Policy Advisor at ClimLaw: Graz, and I delivered a lecture to master’s students on “International Climate Change Law, Policy, and Litigation” from the human rights perspective. Additionally, I participated in roundtable discussions with professors and researchers to discuss solutions and initiatives addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development.
Furthermore, I presented my ongoing PhD project to the academic community at the University of Graz, receiving useful insights and bringing the perspective of Global South challenges regarding urban and climate policy.
Expanding Approaches to Climate Change: Insights from Informal, Risk, and Mountainous Areas
The research experience during the STSM was enriched by the main achievements promoted by MARGISTAR and ClimLaw: Graz. These achievements included identifying new practices, challenges, and impacts of climate change in informal and mountainous areas. The research highlights the importance of legal regulations in shaping innovative urban public policies to build community resilience in risky areas and vulnerable communities.
This experience fostered a deeper understanding of the diverse impacts of the climate crisis in various dimensions. I greatly benefited from expanding my networking and collaboration opportunities. Moreover, the STSM improved my research efforts, broadening my perspective on methodologies, legal frameworks, and transferable practices. The discussions and insights gained during my experience improved the quality of dialogue in my research and provided new approaches for my PhD project.
