Duties
Sustainable and just transitions, transformative policy and governance, sustainable food systems
Subject area
Education and academic titles
Ph.D. (Admin. Science, Environmental policy) , University of Tampere
Docent/Adjunct professor (Environmental policy), University of Tampere
Research and expertise
As a research professor I am responsible of developing and leading inter- and transdisciplinary research on just sustainability transitions at the Finnish Environment Institute. I study how policies can trigger, support or hinder sustainability transitions, with specific focus on food systems. I work closely with practitioners and policy makers in finding solutions to systemic challenges of our time. My heart beats for pragmatic critical social science and development of more sustainable food systems, from plate to fields.
I am a member of Expert Panel for Sustainable Development in Finland. I have given policy-support for European Environment Agency topics related to EU food policy, sustainable food systems (eea.europa.eu) and just transitions (eea.europa.eu). In Finland I collaborate actively with policymakers and practitioners to support the use of research in the development of policy and practice. I am currently a member of working group supporting the planning of long-term food strategy in Finland (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry).
I have published over 60 peer-reviewed articles and over 100 other scientific and professional publications and circa 50 publications intended for general public linked to my research, several videos, pod casts and art works popularising research.
Selected research projects
- Just food: tackling inequalities on our way to sustainable and healthy food systems
- Sustainable niche for livestock in future food systems in Finland (helsinki.fi)
- ACE Life: Accelerating climate efforts and investments (carbonneutralfinland.fi)
- Public Living environments (karkki.ymparisto.fi)
- European Topic Center: Sustainability transitions (eionet.europa.eu)
Selected publications
- Kaljonen, M., et al. 2025. Deliberating justice in food systems transformation pathways: a transdisciplinary approach. Environmental research: food systems.
- Mazac, R., Kaljonen, M. Kurki, K. Räty, N., Tuovila, S., Herzon, I. 2025. Planetary Plate Puzzle: A serious game for deliberating sufficient future diets, Co-Design.
- Kaljonen, M., Varho, V., Sonck-Rautio, K., Ritola, R., Savikurki, A., 2025. Future images of youth on food systems transformation– study with the Finnish high school students. Futures 167, 103568. (doi.org)
- Pastorino, S. Backlund, U., Bellanca, R., Hunter, D., Kaljonen, M., Singh, S., Vargas, M. Bundy, D., the Research Consortium White Paper writing team, 2024. Planet-friendly school meals: an opportunity to improve children’s health and leverage transformations in food systems. Lancet Planetary Health. (doi.org)
- Herzon I. Mazac R., Erkkola ML, Garnett T., Hansson H., Jonell M., Kaljonen M., Kortetmäki T., Lamminen M., Lonkila A., Niva M., Pajari AM, Tribaldos T., Toivonen M., Tuomisto HL, Koppelmäki K., Röös E. 2024. Both downsizing and improvements to livestock systems are needed to stay within planetary boundaires. Nature food 5, 642-645. (rdcu.be)
- Kaljonen, M., Paloviita, A., Huttunen, S., Kortetmäki, T. 2024. Policy mixes for just transition: a holistic evaluation framework. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions 52, 100885. (doi.org)
- Lonkila, A., Lukkarinen, J., van Oers, L., Feola, G. Kaljonen, M. 2024. Just destabilization? Considering justice in the phase-out of peat. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions 52, 100867. (doi.org)
- Kaljonen M., Jacobi, J., Korhonen-Kurki, K., Lukkarinen, J., Ott, A. Peltomaa, J., Schneider, F., Tribaldos, T., Zaehringer, J. 2024. Reflexive use of methods: framework for navigating different types of knowledge and power in transformative research. Sustainability Science 19, 507-521. (doi.org)
- Lonkila, A, Kaljonen, M. 2021. Promises of meat and milk alternatives -- integrative literature review on emergent research themes. Agriculture and Human Values 38, 625-639. (doi.org)