Dr Christian Winkler
I am a postdoctoral fellow based at the University of Oxford.
I study the political economy of trade and industrial politics. My research project, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), investigates how the interaction between firms and governments shapes trade and industrial policies against the backdrop of climate change and rising geopolitical tensions. The project is hosted by the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Oxford.
Methodologically, I rely both on qualitative and quantitative methods, including advanced econometrics and large language models. My research has been published in the Review of International Political Economy, the World Trade Review and Cambridge University Press and received multiple awards, including the IPE Best Graduate Student Paper Award by the ISA and the L. Alan Winters Prize by the World Trade Review Editorial Board.
I obtained my PhD with summa cum laude and félicitations du jury from the Geneva Graduate Institute in 2025. I spent 6 months as a Visiting Fellow at Princeton University in 2024/25. I hold a MA in International Political Economy from King’s College London and a BA in Politics and Public Administration from the University of Konstanz. Prior to pursuing my PhD, I worked for the European Central Bank, the German Ministry for Economic Affairs, and private consultancies.
Beyond my research, I am interested in political theory and philosophy, especially, the relationship between capitalism and democracy, justice, and the history of economic ideas.
My Research
Uncertainty & International Cooperation
Globalization has dramatically reduced the cost of moving goods, people, and ideas across borders, but it has also exposed countries to external shocks and volatility. In my research, I explore how uncertainty affects the institutional design choices of actors involved in trade policy.
Political Economy of Geoeconomics
As competition between states intensifies, governments increasingly leverage economic tools for geopolitical goals. However, costly geoeconomic actions create conflict between the strategic objectives of states and the commercial interests of firms. I investigate when and how firms respond politically to such actions.
Firms in Politics
Firms, in particular multinational corporations (MNCs), hold unprecedented power and political influence. Their preferences and strategies shape policies from tech regulation to climate legislation and trade policy. I study firms' involvement in politics: their preferences, strategies, and influence.
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