Dr. Rabiu, can you briefly describe what you dealt with in your dissertation?
This dissertation explores the transition to circular consumption practices, focussing on the reduction of single-use plastic. It analyses the interplay between individual agency and socio-material structures in the adoption of circular practices. Based on a systematic review, living lab experiments and a scenario analysis, it identifies barriers, opportunities and potential future paths for the integration of circular consumption into everyday life, particularly in the context of packaging-free supermarkets.

Why did you decide to do a binational doctorate? 
I decided to pursue a binational doctorate to gain a broader, more diverse academic experience and to leverage the strengths of both institutions involved. Working at two universities allowed me to benefit from different research environments, perspectives, and methodologies, enriching my academic journey. It also provided me with the opportunity to build international networks, engage in collaborative research, and understand how different academic cultures approach similar topics.
The doctorate at the partner university differed from my experience at BTU in terms of academic focus and research methods. While BTU provided a strong foundation in sociology and environmental studies, the partner university allowed me to expand my research scope and approach through different interdisciplinary perspectives, especially in the context of technology and sustainability. Additionally, the partner university offered unique resources and exposure to international experts, further enhancing my research.
Evaluating my experience, I would say that completing a doctorate at two universities offered me with the opportunity to learn about different research approaches, but also brought challenges, such as managing double administrative tasks and meeting two sets of graduation criteria. Despite these difficulties, the opportunity to work at two universities has enriched my research and helped me to develop valuable skills in cross-cultural collaboration and adaptability.

What are your plans for the future?
My future plans involve continuing research in sustainability, focusing on circular economy practices and their impact on consumption and production systems. I aim to collaborate internationally, contribute to policy development, and further explore innovative solutions for reducing environmental impacts, particularly in the chemical industry and material science.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
In the future, I expect binational PhDs to be structured in a way that reduces administrative burdens on students, allowing them to focus more on their research. This could be achieved by streamlining communication, aligning administrative processes, and coordinating graduation criteria, while also offering better support for cross-institutional collaboration.

Prof. Jaeger-Erben, as the supervisor at the BTU, how would you evaluate the possibility of doing a binational Cotutelle-doctorate?
Despite all the formal challenges, it is an exciting experience for doctoral candidates to get to know two universities “from the inside”. Not only in terms of location, but also structurally, in terms of how doctoral programmes are embedded in university processes, and atmospherically, in terms of social interactions between researchers at different career stages. In addition to providing inspiration for academic work in an internationally relevant field of research, this programme also facilitates personal learning processes.