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Paula Kivimaa

Research professor

Duties

Energy transitions, sustainability transformation, climate policy, energy policy, innovation policy, policy analysis, energy security, climate security and justice

Subject area

Tags:
Climate
International
Sustainabilty transformation
Research

Education and academic titles

Docent, Aalto University

Associate, Sussex University

PhD, Aalto University

Introduction

I work as a Research Professor in Syke’s Climate Solutions Unit, and its Policies and Risks Group. The theme of the professorship is Climate and Societal Transitions, and I work especially on energy and transport sectors. My aims are to make new research openings, develop novel approaches to research the interaction between climate policy and societal transitions, bring security and social justice perspectives into researching climate and energy transitions, and support the development of Syke’s research expertise and international networking in this area. 

I am a sustainability transitions scholar examining systemic change and how public policy and public administration connects to it. I have led many projects related to transport, building energy efficiency and energy transitions. Presently I conduct research on energy security, justice, and the links of security and geopolitics for transformative innovation policy. In addition, I am a member of the Finnish Climate Panel, an Associate Editor of Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, and an expert for the European Commission (DG GROW Fellowship programme, JRC.B Expert Group on Fair and Sustainable Economy).

Tasks

  • Research and project management focused on decarbonisation of socio-technical systems (sustainability transitions)
  • Policy analysis (climate policy, energy policy, innovation policy, transport policy, security policy)
  • Innovation studies (low-carbon innovations in energy and mobility)
  • Policy advice (interaction with policymakers and civil servants in Finland and internationally)

Research interests

  • Low/zero carbon energy and mobility transitions
  • Security and geopolitics in sustainability transitions
  • Policy analysis and evaluation linking to sustainability innovation and transitions
  • Role of intermediary organisations in transitions
  • Building energy efficiency
  • Climate, energy, transport and innovation policy

Current projects

Completed projects (last 5 years)

Publications