240029 SE VM1 / VM2 - 'Critical Metals' in the Socio-Ecological Transformation (2025S)

Contents:
This seminar will explore the crucial intersection of socio-ecological transformations, related ‘green’ policies, and metal markets. This complex and problematic relation presents a sustainability contradiction as efforts towards socio-ecological transformations are paired with an increased demand for so-called ‘critical metals’, which underlie ‘green’ technologies (e.g., electric vehicles, batteries, photovoltaics, wind turbines). These physical market dynamics, are also by a variety of financial market tools. Crucially, this leads to a ‘green’ extractivist dynamic, feeding into and exacerbating existing global inequalities, as the majority of ‘critical metals’ are mined in the Global South, with often negative social, environmental and economic outcomes for producer countries and their populations.

Teaching and readings will focus on critical engagement with global value chains (GVCs)/global production networks (GPNs) of ‘critical metals’ in the context of socio-ecological transformations. We will delve into the key actors, processes and struggles in ‘critical metals’ GVCs/GPNs and discuss the important role that financial interests and actors play in these markets, also in the context of ‘green finance’.

Aims:
The seminar participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the main debates around ‘critical metal’ trade, socio-ecological transformations and financial markets, and and apply the acquired knowledge to case studies of specific ‘critical metals’.

Upon completion of this seminar, students should:
- Understand key theoretical frameworks related to global commodity trade, metal GVCs/GPNs and green extractivism.
- Get insights into metal markets, including governance, actors and struggles, and financialisation dynamics in metals markets and green finance.
- Explain key debates surrounding ‘critical metals’ trade and socio-ecological transformations and related development outcomes.
- Develop analytical skills to map GVCs/GPNs of metals and critically evaluate relations between commodity trade, financial markets, and development outcomes.
- Critically assess the effectiveness and contradictions of current ‘green’ policies in the context of green extractivism.
- Analyse case studies of specific ‘critical metals’ and provide constructive feedback on case studies presented by peers.

Methods:
The course is a mix of individual and group work. The first four sessions will be based on reading (individual work), active in-class discussions and lectures. Session 5 and 6&7 (blocked session) will be dedicated to group work on case studies dealing with specific ‘critical metals’ and their development outcomes. More details will be given at the outset of the seminar.

The learning objectives will be achieved through:
- Readings: mandatory readings uploaded on Moodle to be completed before each session.
- Lectures: providing foundational knowledge and theoretical frameworks.
- In-class discussions: active engagement with readings and lecture topics.
- Case study presentations: group analysis of selected ‘critical metals to apply knowledge gained throughout the seminar and through students’ own research.
- Feedback: constructive feedback provided to and received from peers and lecturer following presentations.