Cordelia Buchanan Ponczek

I am interested in the political economy of sub-soil resources. My doctoral thesis at OSGA looks at mineral and rare earth element extraction in the five post-Soviet Central Asian republics and Mongolia. In particular, I focus on the exchange relations between governments and stakeholders. My goal is to provide compelling findings about the legal and institutional structures governing their relationships, and how stakeholders—through the extractive projects—affect institutional development. I also hope to better understand the role such mineral-rich countries have in facilitating low-carbon technology and addressing climate change. The thesis work draws on Political Economy, Area Studies, and Development Studies literature. My research is funded by the Oxford Clarendon Fund.

Prior to joining the OSGA, I completed an MPhil, with distinction, at Oxford University's Russian and East European Studies programme. I also hold a BA, magna cum laude, in political science from Miami University in Ohio, where I researched kleptocracy and energy transit under Dr Karen Dawisha. I have worked at several policy and educational institutions and contributed to a variety of publications. 

Supervisor: Professor Christopher Gerry