José Manuel Leal is a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Ottawa´s School of Political Studies. His research interest includes the study of the contribution from the existing global economic system to the current environmental crisis, social systems innovation and transition, the study of the politics of unsustainability, and the formulation of other possible solutions.
His current research involves the study of Transnational Climate Change Governance, and the influence of foreign actors in local environmental politics, with a focus in Latin American cities. He also holds a Master in International Economic Relations and Cooperation from the University of Guadalajara, as well as an Honour´s Bachelor in International Business from the University of the Atemajac Valley in México. José Manuel has collaborated in research projects with the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) from the United Nations, and the Latin American Union of Municipalities (UIM).
His professional experience also includes the design and coordination of environmental cooperation projects, academic collaborations, developed during his time as International Cooperation Coordinator at the Foreign Affairs Office from the State of Jalisco, Mexico; International Organizations Coordinator at the University of Guadalajara; as well as General Coordinator of FIDALE, a Mexican-Spanish NGO.
