PhD student receives travel grant
Frederik Vestergaard Hyttel conducts research in political economy and European political history, as well as the dynamic development of political concepts and their impact on European politics. He is a PhD student at the Department of Global Studies and has just received an Elite Research travel grant.
When did sustainability become politically mainstream?
"In my project, I investigate how sustainability has become a central political concept in the EU since the 1970s. I will show how the concept is contested and used to fulfil a legitimacy-building function in European politics. The results can help to raise awareness of how sustainability is used by decision-makers to advance specific political and economic agendas. In this way, the project can create the basis for more democratic approaches to tackling environmental and social challenges in Europe.
Everyone is talking about sustainability, who is doing something about it?
"My interest in political economy, the EU and the sustainability agenda stems from both my academic background and my time in the civil service. During my studies and through practical experience, I have noticed an interesting but paradoxical development: while sustainability has become a central political theme, we see a continued worsening of environmental problems and increasing social inequality. This contradiction aroused my curiosity and resulted in a desire to understand how the concept of sustainability not only describes an environmental necessity, but also reflects a political and economic thinking. This, I hope, can spur a more nuanced debate about what characterizes a sustainable society.
Journey to Leading Experts in Florence
The Travel Scholarship gives me the opportunity for a long-term stay at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, which is among the most recognized universities for the study of the EU and European politics. At EUI, I will be able to work under the guidance of leading experts in the history of European integration and political economy issues.
Publicity based on a press release from the Ministry of Higher Education and Science
About Elite Research travel grants
The Elite Research Travel Grant is awarded to very talented PhD students so that they can travel abroad and improve their skills at the very best research environments in the world.