Maria Backhouse

Prof. Dr. Maria Backhouse is Chair of Environmental Sociology with focus on social-ecological transformation, resilience design and climate at the University of Augsburg's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. She directs the Center for Climate Resilience and leads research on global socio-ecological inequalities.

Education includes:

• PhD in Sociology (FU Berlin, 2014)
• Diplom in Sociology (FU Berlin, 2006)

Her research examines intersections of political ecology, climate resilience, and global inequalities through decolonial frameworks. Key focuses include bioeconomy impacts, land conflicts, and renewable energy transitions.

Publications emphasize critical analysis of bioeconomy models, socio-ecological inequalities in agricultural systems, and property rights in biodiversity governance. Recent work explores tensions between green transition policies and social justice.

Currently advises doctoral candidates on topics including sugarcane agribusiness, technology in the Anthropocene, and EU green recovery policies. Leads DFG/BMBF-funded projects on climate resilience and bioeconomy inequalities.

Heads research team at Center for Climate Resilience with focus on transnational environmental governance and transformation design.