- February 9- 17 - Nina Reiners hosted at INTERACT Berlin
The INTERACT Center for Interdisciplinary Peace and Conflict Research at Freie Universität Berlin hosted Nina in February. The center has a focus on social and political change, justice, and the knowledge of politics of violence. INTERACT brings together scholars working at the intersection of international relations, political sociology, and critical peace and conflict studies, with a strong emphasis on how global orders are produced, contested, and transformed.
Research exchange and doctoral seminar contribution
During the research stay in February 2026, Nina strengthened collaboration with research group leader and host Dr. Mariam Salehi and contributed to a doctoral seminar by introducing fieldwork at the United Nations, drawing on her own research experience. The session engaged doctoral researchers in discussions on methodological approaches to studying international organizations. In addition, the visit included exchanges across the Berlin research institutions on potential research collaborations, with a particular focus on how shifting global orders are shaping normative frameworks in international politics.
2. February 19 - Research Talk at SOAS University, London
Later in February, Nina delivered a research talk at the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD) at SOAS University of London in London. As part of the center’s New Frontiers in Diplomacy Seminar series, this event hosts research discussions on topics such as the changing landscape of global diplomacy, transnational advocacy and migration law. Nina’s visit to the center provided an opportunity to present the PROBONO project and discuss topics related to private actors in global governance and the role of legal institutions in shaping transnational advocacy with the London-based audience of scholars and practitioners. Many thanks to Dr. Alvina Hoffmann and Dr. Alireza Shams Lihajani for the invitation! Event page link.
(Photo credit to SOAS Webpage: Link)
3. March 3 - “Thinking Big” Workshop
In March, Nina Reiners had the honor to hold the “Thinking Big” workshop which is a collaborative annual event organized by the Centre for Modern European Studies (CEMES) and the Global Europe & International Cooperation Research Group at the universities of Copenhagen, Lund and Malmö. The group's research agenda is structured around three core themes: historicity, transnationalism, and interdisciplinarity. As such, PROBONO offered an interesting case for examination, with its focus on partnerships between private actors, transformations in global governance, civic space, and transnational advocacy.
Nina Reiners gave a lecture at the University of Lund and submitted three papers for the occasion. Her insights shed light on how shifting geopolitical conditions are reshaping the roles of states, NGOs, and private actors in global politics. She also shared her thoughts on "how to think big in academia” in a public discussion, highlighting structural challenges for interdisciplinary work that often turn big ideas into small and digestible projects. Four discussants engaged thoughtfully with the papers and the general theme of the day: Elsa Hedling (Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology, Lund University), Haakon Ikonomou (Saxo Institute, University of Copenhagen), Michel Anderlini (Department of Political Science, Malmö University), and Marja-Liisa Öberg (Faculty of Law, Lund University). They provided invaluable and constructive feedback that will contribute to further developing the PROBONO project’s analytical direction.
Many thanks to the organizers, the discussants, and those who joined the session! Event link here
