I moved to Edinburgh in September 2017 to study at the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences as a visiting student from Saxony, eastern Germany. Moving to Scotland was the most exciting thing I had ever done as the first one in my close family to move abroad or even speak English. Some friends from my home university in Leipzig moved here with me and settling in Edinburgh was also made easier by my girlfriend whom I met during my ERASMUS+ exchange. We’re still together and are expecting our first child in autumn, an ‘ERASMUS baby’.
Max is a former visiting student and an expert in climate and energy finance. We recently caught up with him to chat about his student days, his academic and career milestones, and how he keeps in touch with the University of Edinburgh. He also shares some words of wisdom for students and fellow grads who are looking to pursue a role in climate and sustainability.
Max at the 29th United Nations Climate Conference (COP29)
Could you tell us a bit about your studies?
During my studies at the University of Edinburgh, I met the most inspiring international students and teachers who expanded my horizons beyond anything I could have ever wished for.
During my studies at the University of Edinburgh, I met the most inspiring international students and teachers who expanded my horizons beyond anything I could have ever wished for. I still remember how excited I felt every time I attended courses with students in higher years (without credits) and during the receptions and networking events after academic seminars, trying to make the most of my academic time here. The only regret I have is not sticking with the many amazing societies for longer but instead jumping from one to another, including Amnesty International and West African Drumming. It is great to see that many of the societies are still doing well, such as the food cooperative Hearty Squirrel and that many new ones have come about such as the Bhangra, Chinese Traditional Dance and K-Pop societies. If you have the chance, you should watch their great performances!
What were some of your key milestones since leaving the University?
Right after my ERASMUS+ student exchange in Edinburgh – where I focused on African and Development Studies – I did an internship with the German Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa. I then returned to the University of Leipzig to finish my two bachelor's degrees. There, I started working for the Institute of African Studies as a tutor and even covered some seminars, trying to follow in the footsteps of my best teacher in Edinburgh, Albert Mkony.
To get to know another exciting city and university, in 2019 I enrolled in the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London to study International Development. At SOAS, I continued working alongside my studies, this time as a Graduate Research Assistant at the Centre for Sustainable Finance, which proved a door opener for my career start, together with my academic focus on climate and energy policy. I managed to first secure a fellowship and later a consulting position with the International Institute for Sustainable Development in Geneva, Switzerland. Once that came to a natural end, and after a short stint with a renewable energy consultancy in Berlin, Germany, I moved back to Edinburgh in late 2022 to be with my partner.
Where are you now?
Since August 2022, I have worked as a research associate on climate and energy finance for Perspectives Climate Research, the research branch of the Germany-headquartered consultancy Perspectives Climate Group. Among others, I have attended the 27th United Nations Climate Conference (COP27) and COP29 with Perspectives and can focus 100% of my time on research interests close to my heart, all of which relate to shifting global public finance to adhere to the Paris Climate Agreement.
When I was 16 and attending high school in eastern Germany, we had a week of interdisciplinary teaching on climate change. Ever since, I wanted to understand as many aspects of this multifaceted crisis as possible, from natural sciences over economics to the social sciences. In my current role, I can apply these transdisciplinary lenses and see the immediate impacts of our work e.g. when key stakeholders such as Ministries of Finance or potential funders reach directly out to us to profit from our expertise in climate policy and climate finance.
What advice would you give to students or alumni looking to enter your field?
As in most other sectors, the first two-three years of work will be extremely tough. I can only caution you not to go for the first-best job opportunity – take your time to draft as many suitable applications as you can and draw on your entire network(s). The landscape of climate jobs in particular is very fragmented and sometimes very hard to navigate. But if you are passionate about changing our economic, financial, political and cultural systems to work better for people and the planet, then you will eventually find (or create) jobs that align with your values and also pay well.
But if you are passionate about changing our economic, financial, political and cultural systems to work better for people and the planet, then you will eventually find (or create) jobs that align with your values and also pay well.
On another note, I highly recommend making as many international experiences (and friends!) as possible. I graduated from SOAS during the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which overthrew my work and PhD plans. Coming from a working-class background, I didn't have the privilege to attend international schools, learn many languages or even travel abroad before I left home for university. After graduation, it was so much harder to ‘just travel’ or spend extended periods abroad. I was quite naïve during my studies and didn't see that coming. But my eye-opening time in Edinburgh made up for a lot! It was here that I fell in love with the subject of Development Studies I later did my Master’s in and now work again on (climate-related) development finance.
How do you stay connected with the University?
When I moved back to Edinburgh in 2022 to be with my partner again, I felt a bit detached from the University. But once I (re-)discovered great places such as the student-led Buchanan Institute, events in McEwan Hall and the newly opened Edinburgh Futures Institute, my involvement with the University of Edinburgh became closer and closer. I now deliver regular guest lectures on my field of expertise, climate policy and finance, in the Business School and plan the same in other schools of the University. I’ve also just become a non-resident visitor with the School of Geosciences. So, hopefully, Edinburgh’s brilliant students from all walks of life and continents can learn as much from me as I can from them.
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