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Research Title
The Genealogy of Carbon Accounting
- More about Martina
I am a shared PhD candidate at UCL Geography and UCL STS (Science and Technology Studies). My research interests concern how scientific knowledge on environmental problems is produced and used in policy decision making. For my PhD project I investigate the history of carbon accounting which is the calculation of CO2 emissions caused by nation states, companies, households, products, etc.
Academic Background
- PhD Candidate in Human Geography, University College London, since 2017
- MSc Science and Technology Studies, University College London, 2015-2016
- MA Climate & Society, Columbia University, New York City, 2012-2014
- BSc Geographical Sciences, Freie Universität Berlin, 2007-2012
Professional Experience
- Research Fellow at Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change, Berlin (Working Group ‘Assessments & Scientific Policy Advice’), 2010-2011
- Intern at German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Berlin (Division for International Climate Policy), 2012
Further Activities
- Co-Chair UCL Environment Domain Early-career Network (EDEN)
- Member of UCL Carbon Accountability Working Group
- Teaching
I teach on the following modules:
Undergraduate
- Space and Society (GEOG0150)
- Geopolitical Events (GEOG0056)
- Research Interests
My PhD project is a historical analysis of carbon accounting in the UK and Germany. The aim is to compare the historical, political, and practical factors that influenced the development and legitimisation of CO2 measuring methodologies in these countries. I am further investigating how carbon accounting on different societal levels is interrelated, with a particular focus on national greenhouse gas inventories, corporate carbon disclosure, and online carbon calculators. Conceptually, the project is based on an interdisciplinary approach that combines ideas from the field of science studies (STS) on the role of measuring for modern governance with ideas from Human Geography on scale and national context.
Carbon accounting is an essential tool for governing climate change as it underlies all climate related policy decision making and analysis. My research helps us to better understand how it emerged in its present form and the role it plays in measuring progress in the fight against climate change.
