I am a postdoctoral researcher (Oberassistent) in the Economic Geography unit at the Geography Department at the University of Zürich. My research focuses on alternative economies and social transformations towards post-capitalism, as well as on food systems and political ecologies, particularly in relation to pesticide use in agriculture. I have been inspired by political economy, commoning, degrowth, and diverse economies approaches. Additionally, I am also interested in communication and scientific dissemination.

In my doctoral research, I investigated emerging forms of “commoning” and radical ecological citizenships in Catalonia, Spain, and examined responses to socio-environmental crises by analyzing new forms of monetary/non-monetary exchange/cooperation and emerging practices of degrowth. I explored how these self-organized social movements can contribute to theoretically conceptualizing and practically implementing alternative forms of economic and political governance and resistance.

I am currently conducting a research project on the practices and discourses around the issue of pesticides (most notably Glyphosate) and the complexities surrounding its regulation.

I teach courses on the economic geographies of globalization and care work. I supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s theses on a variety of topics.

2018-2022: University of Zürich

PhD in Economic Geography (Under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Christian Berndt, Prof. Dr. Karin Schwiter and Prof.Dr. José Luis Sánchez Hernández)

2012-2014: Humboldt-Universität, Berlin and University of Bath

MA Euromasters, Politics, Economics and Governance of Europe.

2007-2012: Universidad Carlos III, Madrid

Double Degree in Law and Political Science & Public Administration.

2023

International Critical Geography Conference - Mexico: Lo comunitario y alternativas campesinas a la agroindustria capitalista en México

2022

Global Economic Geography Conference - Dublin: Digital commoning and post-capitalist crypto-economies. The case of FairCoop

Doctoral Public Defence - Zürich University: Alternative Economies and Commoning in Catalonia: Degrowth practices for Post-Capitalist Worlds

2021

Venice Biennale of Architecture: Foundations/ Token: Hosted by Carla Leitao.

Markets and power in the digital age - Neuchatel: Digital geographies of resistance and alternative economies: the cases of FairCoop and Komun as grassroots technological innovations for the commons.

International Degrowth and Ecological Economics Conference - Manchester: Social currency and eco-networks in Catalonia: post-capitalist economies as commoning.

2019

International Critical Geography Conference - Urban Contestations: Alternative Economies and Commoning in Catalonia, Degrowth practices for new worlds

Guest Lecture at Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona: Desenvolupament sostenible, decreixement i cooperativisme en Catalunya

2018

Lange Nacht der Kritik Zürich: Degrowth and activism. Practices of ecological cooperation and resistance

2017

Tangible and Intangible Commons: A symposium at Brighton School or Architecture and Design: Intangible commons as tangible commoning: the materiality of making 

Balaguer Rasillo, Xavier (2023) Video-Podcasts von Studierenden der Wirtschaftsgeographie.GIUZ Blog, 2023/02

Balaguer Rasillo, Xavier & Manuel Wirth (2020). Rethinking Economy in times of Covid against the backdrop of disaster. GeoAgenda Geographies of Covid 19, 2020/04

Balaguer Rasillo, Xavier; Berndt Christian; Schwiter, Karin; Keller, Marisol; Stingl, Isa; Wiederkehr, Christine; Wirth, Manuel; Noori, Simon; Steiner, Jennifer; Herrigel, Johanna (2020). The impact of Covid-19 from an economic geography perspective. GIUZ Anniversary blog

Balaguer Rasillo, Xavier & Sobral, Ana (2020) Invited to contribute to podcast Truth to Power on Rap and Resistance in Spain after the 2008 economic crisis which aired in Radio megahex.fm and Radio Bern 95.6 MHz

Balaguer Rasillo, Xavier & Tulpe, Michael (2019) Wachstum, «Degrowth» und Marxismus. AntiKap Magazine Nr 9, 2019.

Balaguer Rasillo, Xavier (2015). Podemos y la renta básica ciudadana, un debate necesario. Published in online law and politics blog “Hay Derecho” on 17 July 2015.

Balaguer Rasillo, Xavier (2015). Imaginémonos el dinero. Published in online law and politics blog “Hay Derecho” on 8 may 2015.