Marine Roux is a 2024-2025 GPEP affiliate fellow. She is a PhD candidate at the World Trade Institute (University of Bern).
Roux currently works on the TRADEM project, investigating the impacts of international trade on democracy. Her dissertation focuses on the effects of bargaining power on the design and implementation of democracy-related provisions in preferential trade agreements.
- What excites you about the GPEP fellowship?
The GPEP fellowship is a great opportunity to exchange with other researchers on global political economy topics. It helps me progressing on my dissertation, and at the same time learn so much about others’ research. The GPEP monthly meetings are also very helpful to discuss other aspects of the academic journey such as professional development or tips on publishing a PhD dissertation.
- What is your research about?
My research is about trade and democracy. I investigate under which conditions democracies sign democracy-related provisions in preferential trade agreements with democratizing and autocratic countries. We know democracies have been promoting democracy through foreign policy (and trade) for a long time. Little is known however about how their objectives are increasingly challenged by the rise of autocratic powers, nor whether trade agreements are an effective tool to this end.
- How did you become interested in your topic?
I am an economist by training, and I have always been fascinated by how much politics influence economics and vice-versa. My second favorite subject was macroeconomics, as I was curious to understand the big economic debates on public policy in the news. Mix political economy and macroeconomics, and I guess you get trade policy?
- How did you like DC so far? And what would be some of the things you still want to try or do in DC?
I love it! I really like that there is so much to do in the city, but that you can also easily get out to enjoy the beautiful scenery and nature around. The perfect balance! I still have 20+ things to do on my bucket list, but it’s mostly around visiting more museums, eating more food, and cycle/hike around more.
- What is your favorite way to spend your spare time?
Any kind of outdoor exercise, watching movies, going to improv, theatre or circus shows, and start any kind of ridiculous hobby (and be really bad at them)!