- Environmental Policy and Governance, International Human Rights Law, Environmental Justice, Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous Peoples Rights, East Asian Studies, and 7 moreSouth East Asian Studies, Amazonia, Nuclear Wastes Management, Empowerment, Cultural and Social Anthropology, Brazil, and Energy Policyedit
- I am enrolled in a PhD program at the Institute of Social Anthropology, University of Vienna. Since 2012, I live in T... moreI am enrolled in a PhD program at the Institute of Social Anthropology, University of Vienna. Since 2012, I live in Taipei, Taiwan and conduct my field research. Currently, I am a PhD Research Fellow at the Academia Sinica, Taipei.
My main interests and field of expertise are indigenous peoples, especially with regard to their social, cultural, and legal positions within national and international discourses, such as environmental governance and international human rights law.
I develop methods to approach environmental justice, working together with the indigenous communities to strengthen their empowerment as they have to face severe forms of ecological exploitation in particular nuclear waste repositories.edit
The dissertation investigates the situation of the indigenous Tao people on Taiwan's remote Orchid Island. Ecological exploitation, structural discrimination, and forced assimilation policies have characterized the governance... more
The dissertation investigates the situation of the indigenous Tao people on Taiwan's remote Orchid Island. Ecological exploitation, structural discrimination, and forced assimilation policies have characterized the governance experienced by the Tao during martial law. The establishment of a nuclear waste repository on Orchid Island was a serious case of environmental injustice, since the Tao were neither integrated in the relevant decision-making processes nor correctly informed about the plan. Events such as this have contributed to a weakened relationship and mistrust between the Tao and the government. Nevertheless, with the Tao's strong empowerment, the emerging national social movements, increasing democratization, and progress towards transitional justice, the indigenous community has obtained affirmative action, compensation, and financial benefits. However, the traditional social and economic structures have been transformed tremendously due to the impact of governme...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to draw attention to an indigenous community that lives in the periphery of Taiwan. The Dao on Orchid Island have had to face serious abuse of their human rights in terms of ecological exploitation and... more
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to draw attention to an indigenous community that lives in the periphery of Taiwan. The Dao on Orchid Island have had to face serious abuse of their human rights in terms of ecological exploitation and environmental injustice. The article highlights the empowerment of the indigenous group through collective learning. In this process the importance of being represented at both local and international levels is emphasized. Despite the democratization and implemented mechanism to protect indigenous peoples' rights and dignity, the issue of self‐determination and dependency on financial compensation still remains unsolved.Design/methodology/approachData are collected and elaborated primarily using recognized research methods that are common in social anthropology (Bernard). Field research was conducted in 2007, 2008, and 2011 in Taiwan. A variety of interviews and formal and informal conversations formed the basis of data collection. According to ...
Research Interests:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to an indigenous community that lives in the periphery of Taiwan. The Tao were confronted with modernization beginning with the Japanese colonial time and later through missionary... more
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to an indigenous community that lives in the periphery of Taiwan. The Tao were confronted with modernization beginning with the Japanese colonial time and later through missionary work and Sinicization. These exogenous factors had a major influence on the Tao's traditional lifestyle and cultural habits. After democratization and due to the Tao's empowerment and efforts of multicultural education as well as interactive learning applications, a revitalization of traditional knowledge, and cultural customs became visible. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology is inspired by social scientific methods that are common in anthropological research. The data collection are based on ethnographic field work that provides a unique and authentic picture of the subject. Besides participating and systematic and informal observation, qualitative forms of interviews were applied. Findings – The paper highlights the influences a...
Research Interests:
In recent years, Taiwan’s indigenous population has been coping with profound environmental injustice. This is mostly caused by human intervention in nature driven by economic interests. Environmental changes emerge due to resource... more
In recent years, Taiwan’s indigenous population has been coping with profound environmental injustice. This is mostly caused by human intervention in nature driven by economic interests. Environmental changes emerge due to resource exploitation and large scale projects. Industrial and infrastructural developments had far-reaching consequences for people affected. Their fundamental rights were not protected nor are the indigenous integrated in decision-making processes or have the chance for self-determination.