Matthias Groß

Professor Matthias Groß is a leading environmental sociologist holding a joint appointment as Full Professor at the University of Jena and Head of the Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Leipzig, Germany. With over two decades of academic experience, he has established himself as a prominent scholar at the intersection of sociology, environmental studies, and energy research.

His research focuses on alternative energy systems, risk and non-knowledge, real-world experiments, and environmental innovations. Professor Groß has pioneered the integration of ignorance studies with environmental sociology, developing influential theoretical frameworks for understanding how lack of knowledge shapes environmental controversies and technological development. His work spans theoretical contributions and applied research on energy transitions, particularly examining ownership structures in renewable energy systems.

Professor Groß has edited several landmark academic publications including the widely recognized Routledge International Handbook of Ignorance Studies (2023) and the Oxford Handbook of Energy and Society (2018). His recent journal articles explore contemporary issues in renewable energy expansion, with particular attention to wind energy ownership and the social dimensions of geothermal energy development.

• Elected Chair of Environment & Society Research Network (RN12), European Sociological Association (2011-2019)
• Chair of Environmental Sociology section, German Sociological Association (2006-2018)
• Co-founder and Editor of the journal Nature + Culture (since 2005)
• Board Member, Research Committee 23, Sociology of Science and Technology, ISA (2014-2018)

As Head of Department at UFZ, Professor Groß leads one of six research units within the Helmholtz Association's 'Changing Earth' research program. His department contributes social science expertise to interdisciplinary projects addressing urban resilience, sustainable land use, and environmental governance. His leadership extends to major research initiatives including the DFG-funded project 'Harvesting Wind and Stealing Heat as Indicators of New Forms of Ownership' (2021-2024) and the international RamonCO project on CO2 storage monitoring (2023-2026).