Local Government Restructuring Professors and Supervisors

Michaël POUZENCView profile

Professor

University of Toulouse-Jean JaurèsFrance

Michaël Pouzenc is a Professor at the University of Toulouse-Jean Jaurès, affiliated with the Daniel-Faucher Institute's Department of Geography, Planning, and Environment. He serves as Deputy Director of the Rural Dynamics research team within the Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Solidarity, Societies, Territories (LISST) and is also associated with the Multidisciplinary Institute for Studies on the Americas in Toulouse (IPEAT). Professor Pouzenc's research focuses on contemporary rural transformations, with particular attention to the construction of resources in rural areas, territorIALIZED quality of agri-food products, local farmer-consumer relations, and the spatial reorganization of food trade. His work examines how sustainable development considerations are integrated into rural commercial systems and territorial planning policies, analyzing the evolution of user and consumer practices in relation to large-scale distribution networks. His recent publications (2020-2024) reveal a strong focus on rural dynamics in southern France, particularly examining eco-communities, farm infrastructure transitions, retail restructuring in rural contexts, and the territorialization of sustainable food systems. His research demonstrates consistent engagement with both theoretical frameworks in rural geography and practical applications for rural development policy. As an active researcher, Professor Pouzenc collaborates extensively with colleagues across France and internationally, particularly with researchers in Mexico and Spain. His work appears in diverse publication formats including journal articles, book chapters, and monographs, with recent contributions to the understanding of short food supply chains, geographical indications, and rural innovation. Professor Pouzenc leads the Rural Dynamics research team, which investigates how rural areas are reshaped by evolving commercial patterns, agricultural practices, and territorial development policies. His work provides valuable insights for policymakers, rural development practitioners, and scholars interested in contemporary rural transformations in Europe and beyond.

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Sławomir KamosińskiView profile

Professor

Viadrina European UniversityGermany

Professor Sławomir Kamosiński serves as Professor and Chair of Economics at Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz within the Institute of Law and Economics, while maintaining an international affiliation as Associated Member of the Viadrina Center of Polish and Ukrainian Studies at Viadrina European University. His academic foundation includes history studies at Adam Mickiewicz University, a doctorate in humanities (1999), and habilitation (2008). His research expertise spans Poland's economic evolution from 1918 to present, with particular focus on: Industrial structure during the People's Republic of Poland (1950-1980) Privatization and restructuring of state enterprises after 1989 Entrepreneurship development in post-communist transition Historical analysis of Polish brands and business ethics Labor relations and workplace satisfaction in historical context Professor Kamosiński's recent publications (2016-2017) reveal consistent thematic focus on ownership transformation mechanisms, utilizing regional case studies from northern Poland to analyze privatization processes, local government roles, and employee ownership models. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary economic challenges, demonstrating methodological rigor through archival research and interdisciplinary synthesis of economic history with political science. As an academic leader, he has authored three major monographs on Polish industrial history and edited significant collective works including '25 lat samorządu terytorialnego w Polsce' (2016) on local governance and 'O marce' (2018) on brand heritage. His international engagement through the Viadrina Center facilitates comparative research on Central and Eastern European economic transitions, particularly Polish-Ukrainian historical-economic connections.

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Ildikó Asztalos MorellView profile

Associate Professor

Swedish University of Agricultural SciencesSweden

Ildikó Asztalos Morell is an Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer in the Division of Rural Development at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). Her academic work critically engages with issues of social justice and citizenship through intersectional lenses of gender, ethnicity, and age. With extensive research experience spanning postsocialist transitions, rural development, and indigenous studies, she leads multiple funded projects exploring multicultural aging, migration, and food sovereignty. Her work connects theoretical frameworks with practical applications in rural communities across Sweden, Hungary, India, and the Arctic regions. Dr. Asztalos Morell earned her PhD from Uppsala University in 1999 with a thesis titled "Emancipations Dead-End Roads? Studies in the formation and development of the Hungarian Model for Agriculture and Gender (1956-1989)". Her academic journey has taken her through various research positions focusing on gender studies, rural sociology, and postsocialist transitions. Her research interests center on social justice and citizenship from intersectional perspectives of gender, ethnicity, and age. She explores how these intersecting identities shape experiences in socio-economic transitions, particularly in postsocialist contexts. Her work spans diverse areas including gender regimes under state socialism, family farm emergence, poverty governance, migration studies (particularly focusing on unprivileged EU migrants and asylum-seeking youth), multicultural aging, and indigenous Arctic food sovereignty. She approaches these topics through critical analysis of public-private partnerships, denizenship, and securitization processes, often employing comparative methodologies across national contexts. Her recent publications reveal a clear trajectory toward increasingly intersectional and globally comparative research. While maintaining her foundational focus on postsocialist transitions and gender dynamics in rural contexts, her work has expanded to examine indigenous food sovereignty in Arctic regions, multicultural aging across Sweden and India, and the impacts of digitalization on traditional industries. The thematic evolution shows a progression from national (Hungarian) case studies toward transnational comparative frameworks, with growing emphasis on policy relevance and practical applications for vulnerable populations. Her research consistently bridges theoretical insights with practical implications for social policy and community development. Dr. Asztalos Morell has led numerous significant research projects funded by various agencies: Forte and ICMR funded collaborative project on healthy aging in indigenous communities (2023-2026) JUSTNORTH project on indigenous entrepreneurship in the Arctic (EU-funded, 5.999.994 Euro) FUTURE FOOD project on indigenous food systems (450,000 SEK) Multicultural aspects of Active Aging (Forte and IMRC, 3,000,000 SEK) Local care regimes in rural transformation (Formas, 2,250,000 SEK) Negotiating poverty in post-socialist rural communities (Vetenskapsrådet, 7,000,000 SEK) As a dedicated mentor, Dr. Asztalos Morell has supervised multiple PhD students to completion, including Cecilia Bygdell (2014) and Carl Johansson (2023). She has also co-supervised Jonas Welander (2017) and provided postdoctoral supervision for Elena Bogdanova. Her collaborative approach extends to numerous research circles with municipalities and authorities, particularly focusing on gender equality, multicultural aspects of care, and human rights. These collaborations have resulted in policy-relevant insights while maintaining strong academic rigor. Her grant portfolio demonstrates exceptional success in securing competitive funding across diverse thematic areas, reflecting both the quality of her research and its societal relevance. Dr. Asztalos Morell is actively involved with SLU's Future Food initiative and the Sami-related research center, contributing to interdisciplinary approaches to food sovereignty and indigenous knowledge systems. Her work with the JUSTNORTH project connects her with international partners across the Arctic region, while her ongoing collaborations with municipalities in Sweden demonstrate her commitment to applied research that addresses real-world challenges in rural development and social inclusion.

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Jesse HeleyView profile

Associate Professor

Bangor UniversityUnited Kingdom

Jesse Heley is a Reader (equivalent to Associate Professor) in the Department of Geography & Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth University and Co-Director of the Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research, Data & Methods (WISERD). He holds a BA in Human Geography with International Politics, an MA in Space, Place & Politics, and a PhD in Geography from Aberystwyth University, where he studied rural class structures and aspirations. His research explores political and economic geography, spatial planning, and rural restructuring, with emphasis on: Relational conceptions of space in rural studies Impacts of globalization on rural localities Rural gentrification and class identity dynamics Ethnographic methods in 'insider' research Governance of rural-urban synergies Heley's recent publications analyze Brexit's rural societal impacts, civil society elites, globalization in everyday products (e.g., wool, Fanta), and aging populations' roles in rural communities. His work consistently employs mixed-method approaches to dissect spatial inequalities and governance challenges. As Co-Investigator on major grants (e.g., ERC-funded GLOBAL-RURAL, EU Horizon 2020 ROBUST), he examines rural development in globalization. He currently co-leads WISERD's theme on Polarisation, Austerity and Civic Deficit and collaborates with the Centre for Welsh Politics & Society.

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Daniel TrudeauView profile

Professor

Macalester CollegeUnited States

Daniel Trudeau is a Professor in the Department of Geography at Macalester College, specializing in urban and political geography, social welfare policy, housing access, local governance, and city planning. His work bridges academic research with community engagement to advance social justice in urban environments. His educational background includes an undergraduate degree in Anthropology, an MA in Geography from SUNY Buffalo, and a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Colorado at Boulder. This foundation informs his qualitative research approach examining how social, political, legal, and economic processes shape city life and landscapes. Trudeau's research centers on three interconnected projects: (1) citizenship formation under U.S. welfare state restructuring; (2) social equity integration in the New Urbanism movement across North America, Sweden, and South Africa; and (3) community-engaged initiatives like A Field Guide to Public Spaces and the Lake Phalen Regional Park project with artist Amanda Lovelee. These efforts prioritize creating inclusive public spaces through digital resources and participatory design. He actively involves students in research through course-based civic engagement, data collection for his scholarship, and independent project advising. His teaching directly incorporates current research in courses including Urban Geography, Political Geography, and Qualitative Research Methods.

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Igor Ortega SunsundeguiView profile

Researcher

Mondragon UniversitySpain

Igor Ortega Sunsundegui is a Researcher at LANKI, Institute of Cooperative Studies at Mondragon University, affiliated with the Faculty of Humanities and Education Sciences (HUHEZI). His work focuses on cooperativism and social innovation within the context of the renowned Mondragon Cooperative Experience. Doctor in cooperativism and social economy (2021) Thesis: "The contribution of the founders of Mondragon cooperativism to cooperative thought" Supervised by Dr. Leire Uriarte Zabala and Dr. Fred Freundlich His research spans cooperative history, worker participation, industrial democracy, and territorial development, with particular attention to the Basque region of Spain. Ortega Sunsundegui examines how cooperative models contribute to economic resilience, social innovation, and regional development in contemporary economic contexts. His recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate a focus on cooperative responsibility, worker associations, and the evolving challenges facing cooperative enterprises in the Basque Country. His work appears in journals specializing in social economy and cooperative studies, reflecting his commitment to both theoretical and practical applications of cooperative principles. "Por qué en Mondragón..." (2025) analyzes historical choices in cooperative development "Asociacionismo obrero..." (2024) reinterprets labor associations' role in cooperative origins "PRODUCTIVE PRAGMATISM" (2024) examines industrial democracy under neoliberal conditions Ortega Sunsundegui's work demonstrates the practical application of cooperative principles in addressing contemporary economic challenges, particularly in the Basque region. His research contributes to understanding how cooperative models can foster economic resilience, social innovation, and sustainable territorial development in the face of global economic transformations.

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Niels Christian FoldView profile

Professor

University of CopenhagenDenmark

Professor Niels Fold is a distinguished academic at the University of Copenhagen's Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management within the Faculty of Science. He has served as a Professor since 2015, following previous roles as Professor (MSO) from 2006-2015 and Associate Professor from 1997-2006. His extensive career includes significant research management experience, coordination of multi-country programs, and cross-disciplinary project leadership across numerous international collaborations. Dr. Fold earned his PhD in Economic Geography from the University of Copenhagen in 1993, following a Master of Science in Geography (1984), Bachelor of Arts in Economics (1982), and Bachelor of Science in Geography (1979), all from the same institution. His academic journey reflects a consistent focus on the intersection of geography, economics, and development studies. His research addresses the relationship between economic-geographic globalization processes and local responses, primarily examined through the analytical lens of global value chains (GVCs). He specializes in agro-industrial value chains connecting producers in the Global South with consumers in the Global North. His approach combines structural GVC analysis with livelihood studies to understand rural development and agrarian transformation. His work extends to mineral-based GVCs, focusing on small-scale mining in Africa and increasingly on large-scale mining and value chain segments in Europe. His regional expertise spans Africa (Ghana, Tanzania), Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Vietnam), and more recently Greenland. His recent publications demonstrate a continued focus on GVCs, rural development, and socio-ecological systems across multiple continents. The research spans Africa (particularly Tanzania, South Africa, and Colombia), Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Malaysia), and Greenland, with increasing attention to sustainability issues, ecological infrastructure, and the intersection of tourism with natural resource exploitation. His work shows methodological sophistication in linking macro-level global processes with micro-level local impacts. Member of Editorial Board, Journal of Agrarian Change (2012-present) Member of Editorial Board, Danish Journal of Geography (2004-present) Director, Centre for Sustainable Artisanal Small-Scale Mining, Geocenter Denmark (2009-present) Coordinator, Danish University Consortium for capacity development at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania (2014-present) Task leader in European-African partnership for Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (2018-2022) Professor Fold has supervised approximately 40 Bachelor's theses and 70 Master's theses, in addition to numerous PhD students whose research spans multiple continents and addresses critical development issues. His research has been supported by major funding bodies including the European Commission, Council for Development Research, Geocenter Denmark, and the Carlsberg Foundation, with total funding exceeding millions of Danish kroner and Euros across numerous projects. His field work spans multiple continents with extensive experience in Africa (Ghana, Mali, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia), Asia (Vietnam, Malaysia, Nepal), and Latin America (Colombia). He currently leads research projects in South Africa (Socio-economic benefits of ecological infrastructure), Colombia (Aquaponics and livelihoods), Tanzania (Contract farming), and Greenland (the nexus between tourism and exploitation of natural resources), demonstrating his continued active engagement in cutting-edge research across diverse geographical contexts.

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François-Mathieu PoupeauView profile

Professor

École des Ponts ParisTechFrance

François-Mathieu Poupeau is a research director at CNRS and Professor at École des Ponts ParisTech since 2019, with additional membership on ADEME's Scientific Council since July 2024. His academic foundation stems from doctoral and post-doctoral training in sociology and political science at SciencesPo Paris. His educational trajectory includes: Doctorate in Sociology and Political Science, SciencesPo Paris Post-doctorate, SciencesPo Paris Research focuses on four interconnected domains with strong policy relevance: Energy Transition Policy : Analyzing market liberalization, digital impacts, and local authority roles in French/European energy systems Digital Platform Regulation : Specializing in Mobility-as-a-Service governance challenges Territorial State Reform : Investigating decentralized service mergers and Ministry of Ecology transformations Socio-History of Decentralization : Tracing intergovernmental relations from 1870-1980 His scholarly output reveals consistent interdisciplinary engagement across sociology, political science, and public administration, with recent emphasis on bureaucratic capacity limitations in climate policy implementation and the contested evolution of decentralized energy systems. Poupeau actively supervises graduate research as evidenced by his open invitation for Master's/PhD candidates, and collaborates with doctoral researchers like Hugo Cordier and Charlotte Marcilliere on events such as the July 2025 study days on planning state renaissance. He maintains institutional affiliation with LATTS (Laboratoire Techniques, Territoires, Sociétés), a CNRS-EHESS-École des Ponts research unit.

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Robert ForrantView profile

Professor

University of Massachusetts LowellUnited States

Robert Forrant is a Distinguished University Professor and Co-Director of the Senior Research Fellowship at the University of Massachusetts Lowell's College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Regional Economic and Social Development. He holds a Ph.D. in History from UMass Amherst (1994) and maintains active teaching responsibilities in U.S. history, labor studies, and global development. His research focuses on labor history, deindustrialization, and regional economic development, with particular expertise in New England's industrial decline. Forrant's scholarly work examines the interplay between global economic forces and local community impacts, especially regarding immigrant labor, textile industry collapses, and post-industrial urban recovery. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent themes in deindustrialization studies, labor movement history, and regional economic policy. His work spans historical analysis of events like the 1912 Lawrence Textile Strike to contemporary examinations of corporate restructuring and worker exploitation in the 21st century. Award highlights include: University of Massachusetts President's Award for Public Service (1998) UMass Lowell Teaching Excellence Awards (1998, 2003, 2007) American Antiquarian Society Kate B. and Hall J. Peterson Fellowship (2001) Forrant actively supervises Master's thesis students and serves on doctoral committees while maintaining significant advisory roles. His grant portfolio demonstrates deep engagement with community-university partnerships, including the Massachusetts Benchmarks Initiative analyzing regional economic indicators and the Lowell National Historical Park ethnographic study on immigration and globalization. Current research focuses on the creative economy and Northeastern Massachusetts economic development.

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