Theresa Herdlitschka, M.A.
Thematic Area Environment and Society
Department of Environmental Politics
Helmholtz Centre
for Environmental Research − UFZ
Permoserstr. 15
04318 Leipzig, Germany
theresa.herdlitschka@ufz.de
Areas of Expertise & Research
- Governance Narratives
- Interpretative Policy Analysis
- Just Energy Transitions
- Societal Relations to Nature
Curriculum Vitae
Professional experience
since 10/2023
Doctoral Researcher, Department of Environmental Politics, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Leipzig
10/2021-05/2024
03/2021 – 09/2021
Research assistant, Institute of Sociology, University of Jena
09/2019 – 02/2021
Research assistant, Team Diversity and Inclusion, UFZ Leipzig
09/2018 – 09/2019
Research assistant, Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology, UFZ Leipzig
Education
10/2018 – 11/2021
Master in Sociology (M.A.) at Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Jena
10/2013 – 09/2017
Bachelor in Social Sciences (B.Sc.) at the University of Cologne
08/2015 – 12/2015
Exchange semester at University Alberto Hurtado, Santiago (Chile)
Current Projects
My PhD-research explores how the European Union navigates the complex challenge of securing the raw materials needed for the green transition.
Using a narrative and interpretive policy analysis approach, I trace how ideas about sustainability, security, and justice have evolved over time, shaping EU's raw material strategies. I’m particularly interested in how power relations influence which perspectives are prioritized, which are sidelined, and what this means for the future of just energy transitions.
By combining insights from political ecology and critical policy research with interpretative approaches, my work seeks to open up new ways of thinking about Europe’s resource politics—beyond dominant narratives.
I am part of the Themenkolleg Governance Monitor PhD cohort.
Publications
Herdlitschka, T., Dankers, J., Kienesberger, M., Kapitza, K., & Mölders, T. (2024). Nachhaltigkeitsforschung und Geschlechterperspektiven: intersektionale Ansätze zur Analyse sozial-ökologischer Transformationen. GENDER–Zeitschrift für Geschlecht, Kultur und Gesellschaft, 16(3), 104-120. Online: https://www.budrich-journals.de/index.php/gender/article/view/44829
Dankers, J., Herdlitschka, T., Kapitza, K., Mölders, T. (2024). Energielandschaften nachhaltig:er gestalten? Geschlechterperspektiven auf räumliche Transformationsprozesse der Energiewende. In: Leibenath, M., Gailing, L., Birnbaum, A. (eds) Landscapes for Future – Landschaften und sozial-ökologische Transformationen. RaumFragen: Stadt – Region – Landschaft. Springer VS, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-43082-5_9.
Dankers, J., Herdlitschka, T., Kapitza, K., Mölders, T. (2024). Geschlechterperspektiven auf Landschaft. In: Kühne, O., Weber, F., Berr, K., Jenal, C. (eds) Handbuch Landschaft. RaumFragen: Stadt – Region – Landschaft. Springer VS, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-42136-6_35.