In the AREA Ruhr Book Talk Series, experts from AREA Ruhr are looking forward to meeting up with authors of newly released academic books that deal with East Asia from a wide variety of disciplinary perspectives. At AREA Ruhr, we are curious about getting insights into recently published research results and discussing the “research journey” that authors have been engaged in.
All events are conducted online via Zoom and are open to be joined after registration. Following the exchange between the invited author and an AREA host, the audience is encouraged to join the discussion.
The eighth episode of the AREA Ruhr Book Talk Series will be conducted in June 2026. Please find information on the event below.
24 Jun 2026, 4–5 PM CEST
“China and Climate Leadership: A Role Theory Analysis”
by Kim Vender (Research Institute for Sustainability, Potsdam)
Host: Jörn-Carsten Gottwald (AREA Ruhr)
Further information & registration
About the author
Dr. Vender is a trained political scientist with an interest in climate change governance and Chinese politics and foreign relations. She is particularly interested in the nexus of climate change and global development, geopolitics, and foreign policy analysis. She currently investigates the topic of Loss and Damage with a focus on public opinion on solidarity and climate finance at the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) in Potsdam, Germany. Kim holds a Ph.D. in Politics and International Relations from the University of Edinburgh, an M.A. in East Asian Politics from Ruhr University Bochum, and a B.A. in China Studies from Free University of Berlin. She is furthermore an Affiliated Researcher at the Centre for EU-Asia Connectivity (CEAC) linked to the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence at Ruhr University Bochum.
About the Book
In her book “China and Climate Leadership”, Kim Vender explores China’s leadership role in the United Nations climate change negotiations over two decades. Her analysis of international and domestic expectations for climate leadership and China’s role uncovers why there has been a persistent narrative of China’s big transformation from a “climate zero” in Copenhagen to a “climate hero” in Paris. The book thereby provides a more nuanced perspective on the often dichotomous categorisation of China in international relations.
Please register through the following link to receive access to the online Book Talk:
https://uni-due.zoom-x.de/meeting/register/gtl38IJjRgivJg57A17YKQ