Winning dissertation of the New Voices in Cultural Relations competition.

The British Council, in partnership with the British International Studies Association (BISA), launched the New Voices in Cultural Relations – a competition aimed at recognizing exceptional Master’s dissertations that contribute new scholarly insights or propose innovative policy directions in the field of international relations.

The judging panel was chaired by Professor Kyle Grayson (Chair of BISA and Newcastle University) and included Dr. Nancy Annan (Coventry University), Dr. Yoav Galai (Royal Holloway, University of London) and Dr. Victoria Hudson (King’s College London). 

Louise Sherry – who graduated from the University of Warwick with an MA in International Relations – won the award for her dissertation 'The Politics of Expendability: Decolonial Reflections on the State of Climate Justice at COP27'. 

Louise's essay provides a thought-provoking analysis due to its innovative approach, rigorous methodology, and potential to influence discourse and policy in the field of international climate relations. The essay provides a clear outline of its focus, methodology, and key arguments. It focuses on the policy outcomes of the twenty-seventh Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the UNFCCC. And specifically investigates whether these outcomes have advanced climate justice and assesses the efficacy of the UNFCCC in responding justly to climate change.  

The judging panel noted:

“This dissertation explains the disappointments of 'market environmentalism' and exposes the inadequacies of the current approach to climate justice stemming from an unrecognised politics of expendability. Not only does the dissertation tackle a subject of crucial global importance, it also exposes the scandalous contradictions of the present direction of travel. In doing so, it has the clear potential to transform thinking on this topic, even for those who might be sceptical, and, one would hope, policy. It is well written with a clear structure that presents a fresh argument that needs to be heard more widely!” 

Citation

Sherry, L. (2024). The politics of expendability: decolonial reflections on the state of climate justice at COP27. British Council. doi.org/10.57884/3KYD-YG46