Biography

Karin Buhmann holds a LLM from the University of Copenhagen, a Master’s degree in International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law from the Raoul Wallenberg Institute at the University of Lund, a PhD in law from the University of Aarhus, and an advanced doctorate (dr.scient.adm.) [Danish version of a habilitation] from Roskilde University, based on ten years of research of the emergence of the BHR regime.

Her research interests include BHR issues in regard to climate change and climate mitigation, in particular in regard to the role of financial institutions to ensure a ‘just transition’; communicative and other regulatory strategies to advance RBC and BHR, including ideals and practice of ‘smart-mix regulation’; risk-based due diligence and its elements, in particular meaningful stakeholder engagement and what this entails from the perspective of rights-holders; non-financial reporting as a potential driver of organizational change as well as the obstacles that impede such change. Buhmann currently leads two research projects on meaningful stakeholder engagement in the Arctic to ensure a green transition with respect for human rights. Moreover, in December 2023 she was a awarded the prestigious Semper Ardens Accomplish grant from the Carlberg Foundation for a five year collaborative research project entitled ‘Frontiers of natural resource and sustainability governance for a just energy transition’, which will explore  corporate due diligence practices in regard to responsible transition minerals exploitation and Rights of Nature, including in Brazil.

Buhmann is the founder or co-founder of several global or regional research networks, including of GREEN-SORT, the Global Research and Engagement Network for Socially Sustainable Transitions (https://blog.cbs.dk/greensort/); ‘The BHRights Initiative’, a platform on Business & Human Rights for interdisciplinary research and teaching across law and management (https://www.cbs.dk/en/research/departments-and-centres/department-of-management-society-and-communication/the-bhrights-initiative); and the University of the Arctic (UArctic) Thematic Network on Arctic Sustainable Resources and Social Responsibility, https://www.uarctic.org/activities/thematic-networks/arctic-sustainable-resources-and-social-responsibility/

Buhmann is also the lead editor of the forthcoming Routledge International Handbook on Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement.