Research areas

Julia Schwab’s research focuses on the political economy of energy, with a particular emphasis on how narratives and imaginaries shape political decision-making. Her work centres primarily on Europe and Eurasia (Germany, Russia, Central Asia), exploring both democratic and authoritarian contexts. In her research, she employs a mixed methods approach, utilising both qualitative and quantitative techniques to analyse textual data. Her previous research has examined resource nationalist discourses in Russia and Kazakhstan, highlighting the central role of oil and gas in the legitimation strategies of authoritarian regimes.

Current Research 

Julia is currently a postdoctoral researcher on the project “Reimagining energy futures, designing techno-political orders: Germany and Poland at the crossroads of energy transition”. The project examines how the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the securitisation of energy policy have challenged dominant European visions of energy security. Within this framework, her research focuses on offshore wind and LNG development in Germany, analysing how these sectors reflect broader transformations in energy policy and political-economic ordering.