Dr. Diana Córdoba

Biography

Diana Córdoba is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Global Development Studies at Queen's University. Her research focuses on the social and environmental impacts of new practices, technologies, and models in rural territorial development, particularly the roles played by the state, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), social movements, and agrarian organizations in implementing initiatives. She aims to enhance theoretical and empirical understandings of interconnected global challenges concerning agrarian transformation, social justice, and environmental sustainability. Her expertise primarily lies in Latin America, specifically Bolivia, Brazil, and Colombia, with more recent research efforts in Argentina, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Mexico. Córdoba investigates the ascendancy of progressive governments that support social movements and their implementation of development approaches, which contrast with the persisting reproduction of neoliberalism. Her work examines payment ecosystem services schemes in Veracruz, Mexico, demonstrating how they can be adapted to strengthen local governance. She also investigates the role of non-state actors and social technologies in rural development, highlighting the political dimensions of these tools in managing resources and empowering marginalized communities. Córdoba encourages students to explore topics around political ecology, natural resource management, and participatory approaches in agrarian development.

Research Interests