Abstract: 
Interdependency across geographical localities and policy domains is a key constituent of complex environmental problems. Problem interdependencies generate incentives for cooperation through the insufficient power or mandate of single actors to independently implement systemic solutions. This brings reliance across governance boundaries. Albeit widely acknowledged, problem interdependencies are seldom analysed in concert with detailed analyses of collaborative approaches to governance. Previous research have rarely examined the possible effects of complex patterns of problem interdependencies on collaborative performance, nor if, how and why actors choose to respond to such interdependencies in certain ways. Integrated analyses of problem interdependency and the ways in which actors collaborate (or not) are in other words largely lacking. On that account, my PhD research investigates problem interdependencies in the collaborative governance of the Norrström water basin. It includes methodological advancements for understanding problem interdependencies in connection to collaboration, by using qualitative triangulation and multi-level network modelling. It further explores positive and negative ties in actor-problem and actor-actor (social) networks, the effects of these on environmental outcomes, and in large sense, the difficulty in governing interdependencies and transboundary environmental problems.

Biography:
Johanna is a PhD candidate at the Stockholm Resilience Centre. Her research concerns collaborative governance of transboundary water systems with a network analysis approach. The study sheds light on the possible effects from patterns of problem interdependencies on collaborative performance, and how the identification of problem interdependencies can help clarify the complexity of transboundary, collaborative governance in environmental contexts. Apart from her PhD studies, Johanna has previously worked at Stockholm Environment Institute, where she was part of research on transnational climate impacts in the development of the Transnational Climate Impacts index. The index aimed to measure impacts that occur in one place as a consequence of climate change events somewhere else. Johanna holds a combined MSc from Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Lund University, integrating studies in landscape planning and international development.