PhD student explores how trade networks shape local futures
PhD student Patrick Mukanza explores how global value chains shape local development, drawing on his background in Gothenburg, studies in Cape Town and fieldwork in Uganda. His research in economic geography examines why economic disparities persist between nations, how regions adapt and innovate in a changing world, and how everyday goods like coffee connect local livelihoods to global challenges.
Could you please tell us a bit about your background
and academic journey?
"I am a first-year PhD student at the Department of Business Administration, studying economic geography. A bit about my background: I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Gothenburg, specialising in economic geography. After a rather intense but very rewarding period, I was fortunate to receive an academic scholarship to study at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, where I recently completed a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) at their Graduate School of Business. While in South Africa, I focused on international trade with a particular emphasis on coffee. Through my MPhil studies, I conducted fieldwork in Uganda and studied how global coffee markets and local livelihoods intersect through global value chains, as well as the challenges and opportunities for improving climate resilience and the livelihoods of marginalised actors, particularly farmers but also others embedded in the sector."
What is the focus of your research, and what motivated your interest in this area?
"Great question. Looking back, for as long as I can remember, I have been curious about why there are economic inequalities in the world. To make a long story short, being of Ugandan heritage, with parents who came to Sweden in the 1980s, and having been born here in the mid-90s while growing up travelling recurrently between Global North and South countries, has sparked a curiosity that gradually led me into research. Based on this background, my work now focuses on development and on understanding how places adapt and innovate to create economic growth. For example, everyday goods like coffee and cocoa are widely consumed, perhaps you yourself can from time to time enjoy nice coffee, we all like a good fika don’t we, haha, yet few people, I guess, think about where they come from and the challenges that are associated with these goods. I am referring to changing weather patterns and increasing inequality related pressures, which raise important questions about how value chains can remain resilient."
What led you to pursue your doctoral studies at the University of Gothenburg?
"First, the University of Gothenburg has been an academic home for me for many years. Having grown up here in Gothenburg and later completed my undergraduate studies at the university, I was already very familiar with the department’s strengths, both in regional development and in its overall strong research environment. In a world where many countries are cutting research funding, I also saw real value in pursuing my studies in a place that offers both a sense of home and a supportive academic community."
How would you describe your experience as a doctoral student so far?
"I am still in the early stages of my doctoral studies, but the experience has been very positive. The programme has offered a clear structure with courses, independent research and opportunities for teaching, while my supervisors and colleagues have been very supportive. It is demanding, of course, but also stimulating to be in an environment where there is room to develop and test one’s own ideas."
What expectations do you have for your doctoral studies, both academically and personally?
"Academically, I hope to produce a thesis that contributes to our understanding of how regions can pursue more sustainable and inclusive development in the context of global value chains. Personally, I want to grow as an independent researcher by deepening my methodological and analytical skills."