Dr. Christine Bichsel

Biography

Christine Bichsel is a scholar specializing in political geography and environmental history, having earned her PhD in Geography from the University of Bern. Her research delves into the complex relationships between power, violence, knowledge, infrastructure, and the environment, with a specific focus on regions such as Central Asia, Russia, and China. Bichsel's work has been published in notable journals including Environment and Planning D, Water History, and Slavic Review. As a Professor of Human Geography, she teaches courses related to political geography and environmental history at the University of Fribourg. Her previous academic roles include teaching and research positions at the University of Zurich, as well as visiting researcher roles at institutions like the National University of Singapore, University of Melbourne, and University of Cambridge. Bichsel's research has significantly contributed to the understanding of contemporary water issues in Central Asia, particularly through her ethnographic studies on irrigation and international peacebuilding initiatives in the Ferghana Valley. She has received funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation and has authored the book "Conflict Transformation in Central Asia: Irrigation Disputes in the Ferghana Valley" which was published by Routledge in 2009. Currently, her research interests also include the history of Russian and Soviet glaciology, the interplay between science fiction and geopolitics, and gender dynamics in scientific communities in Central Asia.

Research Interests