About
Merritt Polk is a Professor at the University of Gothenburg's School of Global Studies. She previously served as head of the Department of Global Studies from 2013 to 2022 and has progressed through academic ranks from senior lecturer to Associate Professor (2010) and ultimately Professor (2015).
Her educational background includes:
- Bachelor of Arts in Biology from University of California, Santa Cruz (1984)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Human Ecology from University of Gothenburg (1998)
Merritt Polk's research spans multiple decades with evolving focus areas. Beginning in the 1990s with gender equality and transport policy, she progressed to urban planning and capacity building in the 2000s, and has since specialized in transdisciplinary approaches to sustainable urban development. Her recent work examines 'boundary spaces' where researchers and practitioners collaborate to address complex societal challenges, developing typologies of knowledge application in urban planning conflicts. She has made significant contributions to understanding how different knowledge systems interact in transdisciplinary research settings.
Her publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output with increasing focus on transdisciplinary methodologies. The 15 most recent articles show a clear trajectory toward examining knowledge co-production mechanisms, evaluation frameworks for transdisciplinary research, and practical applications in urban sustainability contexts. These works collectively establish her as a leading scholar in methodological approaches to complex societal problems.
Merritt has held significant research leadership positions including scientific council membership with the Volvo Research and Educational Foundation (2013-2021), board membership with the Urban Futures Center at GMV (2020-2024), and current service on the Scientific Council of the Leibniz Institute for Ecological Urban and Regional Development (2022-present). She currently leads work within the Just Transitions Research School, a collaborative initiative involving multiple universities and public organizations focused on governance for climate transitions.
She maintains active collaboration with research teams across Sweden and internationally, particularly in projects examining sustainable urban development through transdisciplinary lenses. Her current Formas-funded projects continue to explore knowledge integration in boundary spaces for sustainable development.
