Dr. Kim Vender
Fellow
Kim Vender is a trained political analyst with an interest in climate change governance and climate leadership. She is particularly interested in the nexus of climate change and international 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. 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 the Free University of Berlin. She is also an Affiliated Researcher at the Centre for EU-Asia Connectivity (CEAC) linked to the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence at Ruhr University Bochum.
2022, Ph.D. Politics and International Relations, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- 2016, M.A. Politics of East Asia, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
- 2012, B.A. China Studies/East Asia Studies, Free University of Berlin, Germany
- climate change governance
- climate leadership
- international development cooperation
- Loss and Damage
- climate finance
Publications prior to joining the RIFS
Monograph
- Vender, K. (2025) China and Climate Leadership: A Role Theory Analysis. New York, Abingdon: Routledge (Routledge Series on Role Theory and International Relations).
Journal Articles
- Vender, K. (2025) Co-leadership in the International System: China and the EU in Climate Change Governance. Irish Studies in International Affairs. Advance online publication on Project MUSE. DOI: 10.1353/isia.0.a974469
- Duggan, N.; Gottwald, J.C.; Vender, K. (2025) The EU, China, and the Future of Climate Finance. Asia Europe Journal. DOI: 10.1007/s10308-025-00748-x
- Vender, K. (2017) China's Role Conception and Foreign Policy Role in Economic Integration Processes in the Asia-Pacific. Mapping China Journal 1, 27–51.
Book Chapter
- Brod, M.C.M.; Miß, F.; Vender, K. (2019) How Development Cooperation can impact Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration: Examples from German support for the Greater Tumen Initiative. In: Regional Cooperation and Economic Integration in Asia. Bonn, Eschborn: GIZ, 147–165.
Blog Posts
- Vender, K. (2025) Germany's Big Lithium Find – a Geoeconomic Game Changer in China-Europe Relations? China Observers in Central and Eastern Europe (CHOICE), Association for International Affairs (AMO), 15 December, [online].
- Vender, K. (2025) The EU and China at 50: Is It All Just a Matter of Trust? China Observers in Central and Eastern Europe (CHOICE), Association for International Affairs (AMO), 19 August, [online].
- Vender, K. (2024) Loss and Damage - What development cooperation can learn from the 2024 floods in Europe. LSE International Development Blog, 22 October, [online].
- "Global Climate Change Governance", PG course Globalisation, Europeanisation and Public Policy, University of Nottingham, UK, 02/2024 and 03/2025