Benedicte Bull
Academic Interests
- International political economy
- Comparative political economy
- Development theory
- Geographical focus: Latin America
My research interests focus on the relationship between politics, economics and development, and how international conditions affect the possibilities of establishing good institutions that facilitate positive societal changes. My main focus geographically is Latin America, and in recent years I have focused particularly on Venezuela. I have especially looked at the relationship between politics and business elites through many projects. I now lead three projects: 1) one that looks at China's importance for international cooperation, democracy and the environment in Latin America and Africa, 2) one that researches the role of small businesses for development and reduction of violence in big violent cities in the South, and 3) one that looks at economic development in Venezuela, with particular focus on the importance of international sanctions for the relationship between private and public elites. I have previously led a project on the strategies of Central American economic groups in a globalized economy, and one on the importance of elite change for environmental policy in Latin America. Before that, I researched the importance of global private companies for UN organizations and the policies of multilateral banks. An important reason for my interest in the relationship between elites and institutions is the importance it has for both social and economic inequality. Through my work with elites and institutions in Latin America, I have also become more and more interested in the illegal economy, and how organizations that emerge in it, both challenge and cooperate with traditional elites.
Courses taught
- SUM4031 - Latin American Politics and Development
- SUM4029 - Global Governance for Sustainable Development
- SUM4531 - Latin America in the new Global Resource Politics
- SUM4022 - The Role of Business in Global Governance for Sustainable Development
- STV4344 - Politics in developing countries: contextual analyses in theoretical perspectives
Background
- President of the board of the Nordic Institute for Latin America Studies (NILAS) (2020-)
- Leader of Oslo Academy of Global Governance (2015-2020)
- Leader of Norwegian Latin America Research Network (NorLARNet) (2008- 2020)
- Guest Researcher, FLACSO, Chile (2006)
- Senior Research Fellow SUM (2002-2007)
- Lecturer, Department of Political Science, University of Oslo (2001-2002),
- Dr. Polit, University of Oslo (2002),
- Research Fellow, Research Center of Bornholm (1997).
- Consultant, Inter-American Development Bank (1998)
- Cand.Polit, University of Oslo (1996).
Awards
- University of Oslo's Research Communication Prize (2018)
- H.M.King Olav’s Gold Medal (2003)
Blog
Partners
- Norwegian Institute for International Affairs (NUPI)
- Centre for the Study and Documentation of Latin America (CEDLA)
- School of International Relations, Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica (UNA)