Into the Black Box of Transformative Justice: Distribution of Shell Compensation in the Niger Delta
- Start: 2026
- Status: in preparation
Niké Wentholt en Obiozo Ukpabi will conduct research into so-called “transformative” justice in the Niger Delta. They will study the distribution of compensation money from Shell to affected communities.
We now know a great deal about how people seek compensation through the courts after institutional injustice. But exactly how this justice reaches them remains a mystery. How does money become justice?
The researchers received a unique offer from a climate organisation that carried out this distribution. They were asked to study this process, which is usually inaccessible to researchers. This will enable them to discover how small, seemingly technical decisions can have a major impact on relationships and experiences of justice.
Researchers
(Co-)financing
The researchers have been awarded an NWO XS grant by NWO. These grants are available for projects with a maximum budget of 50,000 euro to enable proposals for curiosity-driven, innovative research in the research fields covered by the NWO Domain Social Sciences and Humanities.
The full title of the research is: Into the Black Box of Transformative Justice: How Money Becomes Justice in the Distribution of Shell Compensation in the Niger Delta.