Dr Ruth Bookbinder's interests incorporate African politics, debates around ‘just’ transitions, and the politics of development. At the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Ruth works with the African Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold Chain (ACES) to develop models that capture the holistic benefits of sustainable cold chain systems. The ACES research primarily focuses on Rwanda, but she also has extensive research experience in South Africa, for example the political economy of the energy sector and the country’s prospective energy transition.
Before joining the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø in 2024 Ruth was a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Leeds where she gained her PhD in 2021. As well as her research responsibilities at Leeds she taught several modules in the School of Politics and International Studies and was module leader for an undergraduate module at London South Bank University. Prior to rejoining academia to begin my PhD Ruth worked in the private sector as a political risk analyst and continued to undertake consultation projects while completing her PhD.