Background

Lars holds a degree (“Diplom”, similar to a MSc) in Geography from the University of Bonn. He focuses his research on global environmental change and its effects on natural resources governance, the risks of violent conflict and how this relates to the concept of environmental security. For several years he conducted research on transboundary water governance, cooperation and crisis prevention, and water politics. Before joining UNU-EHS in summer 2007, Lars has been working for the Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC), a German peace and conflict research institute since September 2000. Continuing his work at BICC as senior researcher on a part-time basis, Lars is still in charge of the area of environmental security there. Besides research activities at UNU-EHS and BICC, Lars also taught as guest lecturer at the Institute for Conflict Research at University of Marburg, Germany. Whilst finishing his university degree, Lars worked as a freelancer on environmental monitoring projects in Germany where he mainly carried out environmental impact assessments.

Working Area at UNU-EHS

As Research Associate, Lars coordinates a research project on local water conflict, which investigates different types of localized water-related conflict and cooperation in Sub-Saharan Africa in the context of local (water) governance structures and institutions, as part of the larger, EU-funded research programme ‘Micro Level Analysis of Violent Conflicts’ (MICROCON).

Main Publications

Larry A. Swatuk and Lars Wirkus, Ed., "Transboundary Water Governance in Southern Africa - Examining underexpolred dimensions", Nomos Press, 2009

Larry A. Swatuk and Lars Wirkus, "Transboundary Water Governance in Southern Africa: an introduction", in Lars Wirkus and Larry Swatuk, Ed., "Transboundary Water Governance in Southern Africa - Examining underexpolred dimensions", Nomos Press, 2009

Larry A. Swatuk and Lars Wirkus, "Transboundary Water Governance in Southern Africa: beyond the state?", in Lars Wirkus and Larry Swatuk, Ed., "Transboundary Water Governance in Southern Africa - Examining underexpolred dimensions", Nomos Press, 2009

Vollmer, R., Ardakanian, R., Hare, M., Leentvaar, J., Schaaf v.d., C. and Wirkus, L. (2009), "Institutional Capacity Development in Transboundary Water Management", The United Nations Wolrd Water Assessment Programme, Side Publication Series, Insights, UNESCO, Paris.

Lars Wirkus and Ruth Vollmer, Ed., "Monitoring Environment and Security - Integrating concepts and enhancing methodologies", BICC brief 27, 2008

Lars Wirkus and Janos Bogardi, "The Global Water Crisis - Are Water-related Violent Conflicts becoming more likely?, In: Lars Wirkus and Ruth Vollmer (Ed.), "Monitoring Environment and Security - Integrating concepts and enhancing methodologies", BICC brief 27, 2008, pp. 28-34

Lars Wirkus and Jolien Schure, "Environmental Change, Natural Resources, and Violent Conflict", In: Lars Wirkus & Ruth Vollmer (eds.), "Monitoring Environment and Security - Integrating concepts and enhancing methodologies", BICC brief 27, 2008, pp. 20-27

Lars Wirkus, Ruth Vollmer and Peter Zeil, "Suggestions for a Future Agenda for Research and Practice", In: Lars Wirkus & Ruth Vollmer, Ed., "Monitoring Environment and Security - Integrating concepts and enhancing methodologies", BICC brief 27, 2008, pp. 75-84