See my CV here
Carolina Velandia Hernandez Ph.D. in Political Science and Public Administration at Northern Illinois University (NIU). Her academic journey is focused on the intersection of Public Administration and International Relations in the areas of governance of energy resources, environmental sustainability, and justice.
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At the heart of Carolina’s academic pursuits is a commitment to understand the intersection of public policy processes, governance, and epistemic communities, particularly regarding regulation and policymaking. Her Ph.D. dissertation at NIU explores the process of legitimacy-building and its influence on belief systems. Through an approach that includes in-depth relational interview methodologies and rigorous statistical analyses based on Q-methodology, she is investigating Colombia's transition towards renewable energy. Carolina's scholarship involves theory building and development of mixed methods that bear direct relevance to real-world policymaking. Her methodology, which integrates theory with empirical investigation, underscores her commitment to research that is both intellectually enriching and practically impactful.
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At NIU, Carolina's research portfolio includes her role as a research assistant to Dr. Thomas Skuzinski, where she has contributed to scholarly articles published or under review in journals including the Journal of Urban Affairs, Urban Affairs Review, and Journal of Planning Education and Research. She has presented her work at prominent academic conferences including the annual meetings of Midwest Political Science Association, Public Administration Theory Network, and the American Political Science Association. Carolina has also served as a research fellow on a collaborative project focusing on regional water governance in the Chicagoland area, facilitated by NIU and the University of Illinois Chicago. This endeavor, supported by external funding from the Illinois Innovation Network, exemplifies her commitment to applied research. Additionally, she has contributed to projects funded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, including the 2025-2029 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.
Prior to embarking on her doctoral journey, Carolina was an oil and gas sector lawyer in Colombia. Her role as a senior lawyer involved managing energy contracts for the national government, analyzing various legal facets including statutes, regulations, judicial decisions, mediation and contracts.
Carolina's teaching background encompasses commercial, civil, contractual, environmental, public policy and energy law.
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// Abogada, candidata a doctora en Ciencia Política y Administración Pública por la Universidad del Norte de Illinois. Especialista en Derecho Minero y Petrolero, Magister en Negociaciones Económicas Internacionales, Investigadora y escritora. Su investigación está concentrada en temas de sostenibilidad, recursos energéticos y ambientales desde una perspectiva interdisciplinar que integra derecho, ciencia política, administración pública y relaciones internacionales
Research Interests
My research areas are Political Science, Public Administration, and Law with an emphasis on:
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Political economy of energy resources and environment
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Infrastructure governance
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Energy, environment, and sustainable development
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Energy and environment public policy and administration
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Natural resources mangement
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Climate change policy
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Comparative public policy
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Earth systems governance
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Global North and Global South dynamics
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Qualitative and quantitative social science research methods
Teaching
Courses
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Introduction to Public Policy, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb IL, USA
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Global Environmental Policy (guest lecture), Northern Illinois University, DeKalb IL, USA
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2013 Private Law and Real Property I, Gran Colombia University
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2013 Corporate Law, Gran Colombia University
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2013 Stocks and Bonds Law, Gran Colombia University
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2010-2013 Private Law, Cooperative University of Colombia
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2010-2013 Corporate Law, Cooperative University of Colombia
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2010-2013 Intellectual Property Law, Cooperative University of Colombia
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2010-2013 Financial Law, Cooperative University of Colombia
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2010-2013 Computer Law, Cooperative University of Colombia
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2010-2013 Real Property Law, Cooperative University of Colombia
Awards and Honors
In the US and Colombia:
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Dissertation Completion Fellowship Award, Northern Illinois University 2023.
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Outstanding Graduate Student Award, Northern Illinois University 2023.
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PHI BETA DELTA Honor Society for International Scholars Award 2018.
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Drexel University Fulbright English for graduate studies summer 2017.
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Fulbright Scholarship 2017-2021 for PhD Program, administered by Laspau.
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Simón Bolívar University: Full Scholarship and Thesis Scholarship 2008-2010.
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Loan waiver outstanding GPA on 2007 cohort. Resolution 165 of 2007 of Concilium of Faculty of Law, National University of Colombia.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
I consider the classroom as a participatory and democratic scenario,where equity, inclusion and diversity are performed. Consequently, first, I teach with focus on personal values, self-management of learning, and personal growth as a continuous process. Second, I encourage teamwork because the construction of a learning community creates innovative neurocognitive appropriations of information. Third, I promote experiential learning, respect students’ own learning pace, motivate and encourage them to learn with energy, never using grades as a punishment.
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I consider that learning is a process of knowledge and skills construction. During my five years as a professor in Colombia, I understood that my teaching purpose was to build a democratic approach to knowledge that considers diversity, equity and inclusion in the classroom, and in the work environment. It is not only about teaching concepts and theories, it is also about providing tools and skills for students to develop their own capacities, competencies and knowledge. I learned to implement techniques to foster motivation, socialization, information exchange, construction, and development of knowledge between students and instructors.
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Socialization and the construction of learning skills are developed in my classes through the perspective of social, political, and economic sources that influence law making. My classes foster the understanding of how legal theories and institutions apply to the current context. In the classroom, students have the opportunity to evaluate different legal sources by contrasting their application nationally and regionally. I also encourage students to do legal research for their individual projects to enhance their personal interpretation of the law-making process and its applications.
My teaching goals are to enhance the acquisition of knowledge and skills to interpret and to apply the law. I facilitate learning in my classes through the resolution of cases and provision of legal advice in the classroom setting. Students have the opportunity to develop hermeneutic competences, and to debate and support a personal interpretation of the law through the application of concepts and theories.
Some of my art:
ABOUT
PUBLICATIONS sample
/PUBLICACIONES
In Spanish:
Master thesis
"Responses of the Colombian State to the International Financial Crisis" UASB. Master's thesis. In http://repositorio.uasb.edu.ec/handle/10644/1092.
Journal Publication
"Colombian electoral process 2010: Between adjustment and consolidation of Uribe´s party." //
Velandia H. Carolina y Bonilla Julián, “Proceso electoral colombiano 2010: Entre el ajuste y la consolidación del uribismo”. En Revista Indexada Comentario Internacional. Revista del Centro andino de Estudios Internacionales II semestre 2010. http://repositorio.uasb.edu.ec/bitstream/10644/3226/1/CI-C-10.pdf
Journal Publication
"Critical study of regulatory special legislation for the solidarity organizations” phase II. Vol. 16, no. 20 (2014) //​​
Velandia Carolina “Estudio crítico de la legislación especial regulatoria de las organizaciones solidarias” Revista DIXI Journal of legal Studies No. 20 ISS 0124-7255 e-ISSN: 2357-5891. 2014
http://revistas.ucc.edu.co/index.php/di/article/view/831/857#
Book Chapter
​Protection of the digital data. A review of the habeas data right in the change of the social relations that create internet. Co-author. In “Law and “TIC” current components”. ISBN 97786070274107. UNAM, INFOTEC. 2016. //
Velandia Carolina y Prada Fredy. Libro “Derecho y TIC: Vertientes Actuales”. Capitulo “Protección de los datos digitales. Una revisión del derecho de habeas data en el cambio de las relaciones sociales que crea la Internet” ISBN 97786070274107. UNAM, INFOTEC. 2016.
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http://bibliohistorico.juridicas.unam.mx/libros/9/4065/18.pdf
Book
"Legal Regime of unconventional hydrocarbons in Colombia" Ibañez Editorial Group. 2017 //
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Velandia Carolina “Régimen legal de los hidrocarburos no convencionales en Colombia” 2017. Grupo Editorial Ibañez.​
In English:
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Skuzinski, Thomas and Carolina Velandia Hernandez. “Envisioning a role for RIGOs in cross-boundary land use regulation.” Urban Affairs Forum (Urban Affairs Review) (Accepted August 20, 2021) https://urbanaffairsreview.com/2022/10/03/envisioning-a-rolefor-rigos-in-cross-boundary-land-use-regulation/
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Skuzinski, Thomas, David Weinreich, and Carolina Velandia Hernandez. “How can we better study the links between regional governance and public service outcomes?: Governance topologies in metropolitan public transportation systems.” Journal of Planning Education and Research. (revised and resubmitted May 12, 2021; manuscript ID JPER-2019-051.R3). Impact factor: 7.21 (ranked 1st in Urban Studies) https://journals.sagepub.com/eprint/MANS4G3BTUCYGRSUCQQE/full
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Skuzinski, Thomas, David Weinreich, and Carolina Velandia Hernandez. Exploring the Link Between Regional Transportation Governance and Outcomes: A Novel Measure of Organizational Fragmentation in Metropolitan Public Transportation Systems" 2022 JPER Journal of Planning Education and Research. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0739456X22107406
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Carolina Velandia Hernandez. Book review Potter, Rachel Augustine. Bending the Rules: Procedural Politicking in the Bureaucracy. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2019. 244 pages. PhD candidate Northern Illinois University (November 2021 Revision https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/padm) https://doi.org/10.1111/padm.12816
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
/ PONENCIAS
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" Validity and transversality of the principles of solidarity as elements of the Social State of Law." // Unpublished work.
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Velandia Carolina, “Vigencia y transversalidad de los principios solidarios como elementos de validez del Estado Social de Derecho.” Ponencia En: Cuba, Unión de Juristas de Cuba, 2012, finalidad: Participación en el VII Congreso de Derecho Cooperativo Agrario. Obra inédita.
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"Energy Integration: A Pillar in the Process of Regional Integration in the Context of UNASUR and ALBA" Presentation at the Third International Law Seminar of the Mexican Yearbook of International Law 18 and 19 September 2013. ​
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Velandia Carolina “Integración Energética: Un Pilar en los Procesos de Integración Regional en el Marco de la UNASUR y el ALBA” Ponencia en el Tercer seminario permanente de Derecho Internacional del Anuario Mexicano de Derecho Internacional 18 y 19 de septiembre de 2013. Ciudad de México y Querétaro.
​ http://publicaciones.eafit.edu.co/index.php/ejil/article/view/2307
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"Reflections on the constitutional right of non-renewable natural resources. Hydrocarbon resource and royalties. Paper presented at the Gran Colombia University. ISBN 23898836 “International seminary. First Meeting of New Constitutional Justice and New Tendencies of Administrative Law.” Page. 508.
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Velandia Carolina “Reflexiones sobre el derecho constitucional de los recursos naturales no renovables. Recurso hidrocarburífero y regalías.” Ponencia presentada en la Universidad la Gran Colombia. Abril 2013. Portada
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COLLECTIVE PUBLICATIONS
/Obras colectivas
Co-author. "Legal Regime of Supply Chain Liquid Fuel Oil" exclusive compilation for the CREG.//
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Velandia Carolina y otros, “Régimen legal de la Cadena de Distribución Combustibles Líquidos Derivados de Petróleo”, compilación exclusiva para la CREG. 2013 Confidencial. Caratula contrato
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In English:
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Velandia Hernández, Carolina, Contemporary Budgeting Theory in Latin American Countries: Do international financial flows impact energy use and CO2 emission in South American countries?. NIU History Graduate Student Association Conference, November 1, 2019.
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Velandia Hernández, Carolina, Do International Financial Flows Impact Fossil Energy Consumption and CO2 Emission in South American Countries? Accepted for presentation at the 78th Annual Midwest Political Science Association Conference, Chicago, IL (USA), April 16-19, 2020. (Cancelled due to Covid-19 crisis.)
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Velandia Hernández, Carolina, Decentralization impacts in royalties reform Colombian case 2010-2015. Accepted for presentation at the Marc Holzer Public Performance Symposium, American Society for Public Administration Annual Conference, Anaheim, CA (USA), April 2-7, 2020. (Cancelled due to Covid-19 crisis.)
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Velandia Hernández, Carolina, The International Political economy of investments in the Latinoamerican Energy sector. A triple game US-China- Latin America, principal legal effects. [La política económica internacional del régimen de inversiones en el sector energético latinoamericano. Una partida triangular China-América Latina- Estados Unidos principales efectos legales.] Online. Congreso de ASIDE Asociación iberoamericana de derecho de la energía, Universidad Externado, May 26-28 2021.
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Velandia Hernández, Carolina, Treinta y Tres 2021 Conference, Sustainability, Conservation, and Environmental Justice in Latin/x America, Impact of Policy Interest of Firms in Coalition Formation of Renewable Energy: Empirical Study of Colombia. Online. Latino and Latin American Studies Northern Illinois University.
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Skuzinski, Thomas; Albrecht, Kate; Velandia Hernandez, Carolina; and Michnick, Jason. Infrastructure Governance and Institutional Grammar: A conceptual framework and application to drinking water systems in Chicagoland. Track 62 Public Administration Panel The role of policy, advocacy, innovation and Collaboration in Governance. Midwest Political Science Association April 7 – April 10, 2022
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Velandia Hernández, Carolina, Treinta y Tres 2022 Conference Movements and Migrations across Latin/x America. The counter argument against environmental reductionism in Latinx immigration debates: Tracking the discussion and empirical evidence. Online. November 18, 2022
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Velandia Hernández, Carolina. Panel Resilient communities and sustainability Global Perspectives. What it means to serve the public interest: insights from national regulators in Colombia. ASPA. Online March 24, 2023
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Velandia Hernández, Carolina. Core beliefs in regulatory decision-making: toward a conceptual framework. MPSA. Panel Elite Roles in Environmental Politics and Policy. MPSA. Midwest Political Science Association. April 14, 2023.
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Velandia Hernández, Carolina. Theorizing Epistemic Legitimacy. Panel Session How Institutions Impact Public Service and Policy. PA Theory Network Hosted by the Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University Portland, Oregon. June 8-11, 2023.
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Velandia Hernández, Carolina. Core capture: The effects of exposure to firms on the belief systems of executive regulators. Panel Energy transition, security and justice in times of global shocks of the ICPP6. Toronto, Canada. International Public Policy Association. June 27th to June 29th, 2023.
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Velandia Hernández, Carolina Navigating Pregnancy and Scholarship. Midwest Political Science Association. Panel Session: Gender & Politics. Chicago, IL, April 2024
Velandia Hernández, Carolina, and others. 2011 ECOPETROL book. Legal Regime of Exploration and Exploitation of Hydrocarbons, and Applicable Social and Environmental Standards.
WORKING PAPERS
/Futuras publicaciones
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Velandia Hernandez, C. (2021, July 14). State centrism in International Relations. Strengths and limitations and possible alternatives. https://doi.org/10.31235/osf.io/6c5vm In https://osf.io/preprints/socarxiv/6c5vm/
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CONTACT
CAROLINA
VELANDIA
HERNÁNDEZ
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