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Photo by Kehan Wang (Pumamarca, 2021)

Mobilizing the Inca Heartland

My dissertation investigated why certain indigenous communities affected by industrial mining succeed in mobilizing effective collective actions to mitigate negative externalities and secure a fair share of benefits while others fail.  The power imbalance between these communities and operating companies often leaves protests as one of the few avenues to express grievances.

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I formulated a three-fold argument: firstly, effective collective actions, characterized by broad-based participation, strong solidarity, and low levels of radicalism, are crucial for successful negotiations with companies and governments. Secondly, the presence of strong umbrella organizations that integrate mobilizational resources in the community significantly contributes to coordinating effective collective actions. Thirdly, cohesive communities with high social capital, measured by the density of civil society organizations, tend to host strong umbrella organizations, enabling more effective engagement with extractive firms and governments. Conversely, fragmented communities face obstacles in mobilizing collective actions, impeding their ability to negotiate.​

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Drawing on on-the-ground experience and knowledge of indigenous communities, my study proves that organizational capacity building is indispensable in mitigating the human-environmental hazards of natural resource extraction at the grassroots level. 

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Photo by Kehan Wang (Las Bambas, 2021)

Photo by Kehan Wang (Qquello, 2021)

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Fieldwork

My research uses a mixed-methods approach, relying on an in-depth ethnographic field study and statistical analysis of an original survey dataset.

Cases

  • Las Bambas Copper Mine (District of Challhuahuacho, Province of Cotabambas, Region of Apurímac)

  • Constancia Copper Mine (District of Chamaca, Province of Chumbivilcas, Region of Cusco)

 

China and Just Energy Transition in Latin America

I am currently contributing to the project "Capitalizing on the New Climate Economy in the Americas: An Agenda of Policy-Oriented Research and Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue," led by the Center for China and Asia-Pacific Studies at Universidad del Pacífico and funded by the Ford Foundation. This project brings together researchers from leading universities in Latin America, China, and the United States to explore how Latin America can maximize benefits and mitigate risks associated with China’s prominent role in the global competition for transition minerals, which are abundant in this region. It also aims to create a space for informed dialogue among diverse stakeholders to address the complex challenges involved in achieving a just energy transition.

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Aligned with this agenda, we recently launched a branch project (October 2024) examining the impacts of energy-transition projects on women. This initiative focuses on preventing adverse impacts on women and promoting gender equity within these activities and sectors, contributing to a more inclusive approach in the transition to sustainable energy.

© 2024 by Kehan Wang. Proudly created with Wix.com

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