Research

As part of the project, a detailed evaluation plan will be developed based on the CAP Strategic Plan evaluation plan and in accordance with the evaluation framework specified by the European Commission under Regulation (EU) 2022/1475. Based on the detailed concept, analyses will be conducted using established and proven quantitative and qualitative methods and techniques—including target-actual, before-and-after, and with/without comparisons. For these analyses, an operational model approach for agriculture in Germany will be developed and applied.

Decarbonizing the building sector is a critical component of Vienna’s energy transition strategy. To increase renovation rates and accelerate the phase out fossil fuel-based heating systems, policies focus predominantly on promoting energy efficiency measures. However, prioritizing technology-centric approaches to achieving climate neutrality risks reinforcing or exacerbating existing inequalities, including energy and housing vulnerabilities. The inter- and transdisciplinary project “IMAGINE 2040 – Climate-neutral and equitable housing in Vienna 2040” addresses the challenge of ensuring a socially responsible and just transition towards climate-neutral housing. The project aims to identify and analyse structural challenges, hindering or enabling the mainstreaming of energy-efficient, affordable, and accessible housing solutions, with a particular focus on vulnerable and marginalized groups. In the first phase, IMAGINE 2040 will combine policy analysis with city-wide quantitative and spatially differentiated vulnerability assessments based on a micro-economic analysis of Vienna’s building stock, patterns of ownership, and exposure to energy poverty. In the second phase, following a transdisciplinary approach, the project will facilitate the co-design of policy interventions that reflect the diverse needs and perspectives of affected citizens and stakeholders. The project will conduct in-depth qualitative research through a workshop that integrates systems thinking and arts-based methods to generate actionable knowledge, and foster participation and inclusivity. IMAGINE 2040 will be implemented through close collaboration between the scientific team and a Transdisciplinary Consultation Group (TCG), composed of stakeholders and experts in the fields of energy transition, housing, and social justice.

This doctoral research project traces the historical evolution of governance models within the global coffee commodity chain, from the regulatory era of the International Coffee Agreement (ICA) to the contemporary landscape dominated by private sustainability standards and emerging producer-driven initiatives. The study critically examines the shift from intergovernmental mechanisms—such as export quotas and price stabilization accords—to a fragmented system where NGOs, multinational corporations, and producer nations themselves now wield significant normative power. Employing a qualitative case study methodology, the research will utilize historical archival data from international organizations and in-depth, semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders across the chain (including policymakers, standard-setters, corporate buyers, and producer representatives). This empirical data will be analyzed through a critical discourse analysis (CDA) framework to deconstruct the power dynamics, competing narratives, and ideological assumptions that have shaped these governance transitions. The project aims to make a significant contribution by providing a nuanced, historically-grounded analysis of power redistribution in global agro-food chains. It seeks to illuminate the implications of this governance evolution for equity, resilience, and development outcomes in coffee-producing countries, ultimately proposing a refined theoretical model for understanding governance in global commodity chains.