We are happy to welcome Dr Natalie Langford to the Sustainability Research Group. Natalie joined us this week and will spend the next two months in Basel as a Fellow of the Forum Basiliense at the University of Basel.

Natalie is a political economist and Lecturer in Sustainability at the University of Sheffield. Her research focuses on the contested politics of sustainability governance in global supply chains, particularly in the palm oil and tea sectors. Her previous work has examined how states, firms and NGOs in the Global South have developed their own sustainability standards and challenged established Global North norms and institutions.

Her more recent research takes a historical perspective on the EU Deforestation Regulation, exploring how colonial and postcolonial legacies shape its political reception and contestation in the Global South.

During her stay, there will also be an opportunity to hear more about this research. On 14 October, Natalie will give a talk hosted by Forum Basiliense:

Governing Deforestation Across Borders: How colonial legacies are shaping political contestation between the European Union and Malaysia in the palm oil sector

14 October 2026, 12:15–13:45
Spalenberg 65, 1st floor, Basel
Hosted by Forum Basiliense

We look forward to having Natalie with us and to the conversations and exchange over the coming two months.