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- Víctor Cobs-Muñoz, MSc
Víctor Cobs-Muñoz, MSc
Profile
»I am a geographer with a background in environmental sciences and natural resources management and development. I teach master's seminars about Environmental Justice and Social-ecological Systems. My doctoral research examines how governance structures and institutional logics perpetuate and reproduce environmental injustices and social-ecological vulnerabilities, particularly in territories historically designated as sacrifice zones. Situated within the field of spatial planning, my work explores how governance arrangements, policy frameworks, and planning practices can address structural inequalities and foster more equitable and resilient territories.«

Curriculum Vitæ
Research Experience
Since 2020: Research Assistant; TU Dortmund University, Germany
Department of Spatial Planning
2016 – 2019: University Instructor, Academic Coordinator; Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Chile
Department of Geography
2012 – 2014: Research Assistant; Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Chile
Laboratorio Territorio y Sociedad
2013: GIS Analyst; Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Chile
Observatorio Social
2011: Research Intern; Government of Chile, Santiago, Chile
Ministry of Health
Education
2015 – 2017M.Sc. Natural Resources Management and Development; TH Köln, Germany
2014 – 2017M.Sc. Environmental Sciences; Universidad de San Luis Potosí, Mexico
2007 – 2012B.Sc. Geography; Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Chile
Awards and Honours
2024: Teaching Award in Category 2, TU Dortmund
2018 – 2019: UAH Continuing Education Scholarship, Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Chile
2014 – 2016CONACYT Scholarship CONACYT, Mexico
2011: International Mobility Grant Funding. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Chile
Research
Grounded in an interdisciplinary background bridging environmental geography, health geography, and spatial planning, my research investigates how governance processes shape environmental injustice and social-ecological vulnerability. I focus on the persistence of sacrifice zones, territories where environmental harm becomes normalized through institutional logics and policy practices. Using a Critical Realist and Environmental Justice lens, my work examines how governance structures, social-ecological dynamics, and spatial planning decisions interact to reproduce or challenge these entrenched injustices.
Teaching
My past and present teaching comprises modules covering a wide array of topics including spatial planning, human geography, environmental justice, and GIS.
I am currently teaching on the following modules at TU Dortmund University:
- A-Project on "Metropolitan and micropolitan spaces"
- F-Project on "Hinterlands of today and tomorrow"
- Social-ecological Systems (MSc)
- Environmental Justice (MSc)
Modules taught at Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Santiago de Chile:
- Methods and Techniques for Territorial Analysis I (MSc in Territorial Planning & Geography)
- Lab: GIS in Natural Ecosystems (BSc/MSc Geography)
- Introduction to Geography (BSc Geography)
- Geographical Space and Human Settlements (Pedagogy in History and Social Sciences programme)
- Environment & Human Rights in Chile (Exchange programmes, International Cooperation Directorate)
Contact
Víctor Cobs Muñoz, MSc
TU Dortmund University
Department of Spatial Planning
Room GBIII/317
August-Schmidt-Straße 10
44227 Dortmund
Germany
Tel.: +49 (0)231 7556447
Email: victor.cobstu-dortmundde