Thomas Hale is Professor in Public Policy (Global Public Policy) at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, and Director of the Master of Public Policy. His research tackles transnational governance challenges, emphasizing climate change, global health, and economic interdependence. He holds a PhD in Politics from Princeton University, a master's in Global Politics from the London School of Economics, and an AB in Public Policy from Princeton. His research explores the evolution of political institutions to address globalization, with foci on: Climate governance mechanisms like the Paris Agreement and net-zero transitions Global health policy, including pandemic response tracking Transnational commercial disputes and cooperation frameworks His recent publications (2022-2024) predominantly analyze climate policy effectiveness, net-zero accountability, pandemic governance, and geopolitical energy shifts. Trends show consistent emphasis on institutional design, multi-stakeholder action, and data-driven policy assessment across environmental and health crises. He leads major initiatives including the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker and co-leads the Net Zero Tracker and Climate Policy Hub , collaborating with global policymakers to translate research into governance frameworks.
Jesse Jenkins is an Assistant Professor at Princeton University, jointly appointed in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the Andlinger Center for Energy and Environment, with courtesy affiliations in the School of Public and International Affairs and the High Meadows Environmental Institute. He leads the Princeton ZERO Lab and specializes in macro-scale energy systems engineering. Education: PhD and SM – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Postdoctoral Fellow – Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard University Center for the Environment Research Interests: Jenkins focuses on the transition to zero-carbon energy systems . His work spans the integration of distributed energy resources, optimization of national and sub-national energy systems, and the role of electricity in economy-wide decarbonization. He applies advanced modeling techniques to inform policy and planning decisions. Publications Focus: His recent work emphasizes the intersection of decarbonization strategies and nature-based climate solutions , exploring how ecosystem-based interventions can complement technological pathways to net-zero emissions. These publications underscore the importance of policy frameworks and risk assessments in scaling sustainable climate interventions. Labs & Teams: Jenkins leads the Princeton ZERO Lab (Zero-carbon Energy systems Research and Optimization Laboratory) , which develops and applies optimization-based models to evaluate low-carbon energy technologies and support policy decisions in transitioning to net-zero emissions systems.
Alberto Brugnoli is a Full Professor in Applied Economics at the University of Bergamo, Italy, where he has served since 2020. He holds the UNESCO Chair on Human Rights, International Cooperation and Sustainable Development and serves as Delegate for International Cooperation in Developing Countries at the University of Bergamo. His academic career spans over 30 years with progressive appointments from Researcher to Full Professor. Brugnoli's research focuses on International Development Cooperation, Sustainable Development, Local Development, Regional Governance and Policy, Migration, Municipal Financing, and Trade. His work demonstrates a strong international dimension through collaborations with institutions like Fundação Getulio Vargas (Brazil), McGill University (Canada), OECD, and the European Commission. His recent publications show a clear trajectory toward sustainability, decarbonization, and economic transition topics. His research output reveals a progression from traditional economic policy topics toward contemporary challenges of sustainability, climate change, and social development. The most recent publications (2022-2025) predominantly address decarbonization, sustainable economic transitions, and regional development strategies, reflecting current global economic policy priorities. Award by the Scientific Committee of the First Report on Finance of the Rosselli Foundation (2012) Award by the NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy (2009) Recognition from Università Bocconi for editorial contributions (1999) Brugnoli has advised numerous international research projects and has extensive teaching experience in Development Economics, Regional Economics, and International Cooperation. His leadership extends to serving as President of the Master's Degree Program in Human Rights, Migration and International Cooperation (2018-2022) and various delegate roles at the University of Bergamo.
John Armour is a Professor of Law and Finance at the University of Oxford, serving as Dean of the Faculty of Law and Chair of the Law Board. He holds fellowships at the British Academy and the European Corporate Governance Institute. His research focuses on integrating legal and economic analysis, particularly in corporate governance, financial regulation, and corporate insolvency law. He previously held roles at the University of Cambridge and has been a visiting scholar at institutions such as the University of Chicago and the Max Planck Institute. Armour’s educational background includes an MA and BCL from the University of Oxford and an LLM from Yale Law School. He has contributed to major policy projects for the UK government, the World Bank, and the European Commission. His editorial roles include Executive Editor of the Journal of Corporate Law Studies and Journal of Law, Finance and Accounting . Research Interests: Corporate law, financial regulation, insolvency frameworks, and the real-world economic impacts of legal changes. Policy Engagement: Advised UK regulators (BEIS, FCA) and international bodies on corporate governance and financial stability. Awards: Fellow of the British Academy and European Corporate Governance Institute. Armour teaches courses such as Company Law, Principles of Financial Regulation, and Comparative Corporate Law. His recent work explores climate-related corporate commitments and AI’s role in legal practice, including initiatives like the Unlocking the Potential of AI for English Law project.
Paul Dodds is Professor of Energy Systems at University College London's Bartlett School of Environment, Energy & Resources, where he holds joint appointments at the UCL Energy Institute and the Institute for Sustainable Resources. He serves as the Faculty Graduate Tutor for the Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, overseeing all doctoral research programs. His academic progression at UCL has been steady, moving from Research Associate (2011-2014) to Senior Research Associate (2014-2015), Lecturer (2015-2016), Senior Lecturer (2016-2018), Associate Professor (2018-2020), and finally to Professor. His educational background includes a PhD from the University of Leeds (2010) focused on climate change and agriculture in Senegal, where he developed a new crop model for adaptation research and created detailed meteorological datasets for West Africa. He also holds a Master of Natural Science (Honours) from the University of Nottingham (2000). Dodds specializes in energy systems modelling with particular expertise in hydrogen and bioenergy systems, and the importance of energy storage. His research examines the interactions between society and the environment, with a focus on energy and food systems. He has developed the UK TIMES energy systems model, which has replaced the UK MARKAL model and is now co-developed with the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). This model has provided underpinning evidence for the UK's Clean Growth Strategy and Net Zero Strategy. His methodological contributions include formalizing a theoretical approach to analyzing the evolution of energy system models using 'model archaeology'. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on hydrogen energy systems, with multiple papers examining hydrogen trade pathways, integration methods, and environmental impacts. His work increasingly addresses the geopolitical dimensions of energy transition, as seen in studies about Russian gas pivots to Asia and global energy scenarios. He maintains expertise in energy system modeling techniques while expanding into practical applications for policy development, particularly regarding the UK's net-zero transition. Dodds has supervised 15 PhD students at UCL, with eight under his primary supervision. His professional activities include serving as the UK Alternate Delegate to IEA Hydrogen since 2017, acting as a PhD External Examiner at the University of Edinburgh, and participating in the EPSRC Peer Review College. He has contributed to multiple government initiatives, including the UKERC Future of the Gas Networks workshop and representing the UK Government at IEA ETSAP meetings. He teaches an undergraduate module on 'Energy and Environmental Systems Modelling' and guest lectures on several MSc courses. His research group focuses on energy system modeling, with particular emphasis on the UK TIMES model development and application. His work often involves collaboration with government bodies, particularly BEIS, and he has coordinated significant projects like seven reports on overshoot pathways for the UK Government.
Dr. Ralph Evins is an Associate Professor and Director of the Graduate Program in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Victoria. He holds affiliations with the Urban Energy Systems laboratory at Empa and ETH Zurich in Switzerland. His expertise spans building energy simulation, energy system optimization, and machine intelligence applications in sustainable design. Evins holds an MEng from Imperial College London and an EngD from the University of Bristol. His research focuses on computational problem-solving in energy systems, including surrogate modeling, optimization algorithms, and machine learning. He develops tools like the Holistic Urban Energy Simulation (HUES) platform and BESOS software framework to bridge building, district, and city-scale energy analysis. His work emphasizes holistic systems thinking, integrating energy hubs, thermal modeling, and digital twin technologies. Recent articles explore surrogate model refinement, inverse modeling for building characterization, and decarbonization strategies. He collaborates with industry to translate academic innovations into practical solutions. Evins advises students in energy systems and leads projects on net-zero building design, retrofit prioritization, and smart grid integration. His research addresses challenges in climate adaptation, energy efficiency, and sustainable urban development through interdisciplinary approaches.
Dr. Giacomo Crisenza is a Lecturer in Catalysis at the Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester. His research focuses on developing sustainable electrochemical and photocatalytic methods for converting carbon feedstocks into value-added chemicals. He holds a PhD from the University of Bristol and has held academic positions at Manchester since 2020. Education: PhD in Chemical Synthesis, University of Bristol (2013–2017) MSc and BSc, Università degli Studi di Milano (2007–2012) Chemical Synthesis CDT, University of Bristol (2012–2013) Research Interests: Electrochemical synthesis of novel organic compounds Photocatalytic activation of aromatic systems Design of sustainable catalytic protocols Radical-mediated C–C bond formations Development of carbon feedstock valorization strategies Articles Trends: His recent work emphasizes photocatalytic C–H functionalization strategies, asymmetric total syntheses, and metal-free arylation approaches. Key themes include visible-light-driven reactions and transition-metal catalyzed transformations. Advising & Grants: Supervised 2 PhD students (specific names not listed). Actively seeks external funding through schemes like MSCA and NIF for postdoctoral researchers. Labs & Teams: Leads the Crisenza Group within the Organic Chemistry Group at Manchester, focusing on net-zero catalysis and sustainable chemical synthesis.
Ben Amor is a Full Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, where he serves as Director and Founder of the CIRMIB (Integrated Research Center on Sustainable Materials, Infrastructure and Buildings) and Director of Sustainable Development for the Faculty of Engineering. Previously, he held associate professor positions at Université Laval and Université de Sherbrooke. His research focuses on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies applied to sustainable construction, circular economy implementation in building sectors, and building decarbonization strategies. He has pioneered regionalized LCA approaches for Arctic regions and developed frameworks for carbon budgeting in building sectors. His work bridges environmental science with practical engineering solutions for sustainable infrastructure. His recent publications reveal strong trends in building decarbonization pathways, material circularity in construction, and the integration of biogenic carbon accounting. He emphasizes both technological solutions and behavioral change strategies for achieving net-zero emissions in the built environment. ACLCA 2018 Life Cycle Assessment Leadership Award Life Cycle Academy Awards 2019 (two awards) Quebec Public Administration Excellence Prize 2023 for Scientific Collaboration Multiple university teaching awards including the Jacques-Bazinet Merit Award Professor Amor leads significant research grants totaling over $20 million, including NSERC Alliance grants for sustainable building materials and a $2 million Research Chair on Net Zero Strategies and Life Cycle Assessment. He directs the CIRMIB research center and the LIRIDE (Interdisciplinary Research Laboratory in Sustainable Engineering and Eco-design), supervising multiple doctoral candidates. His work includes developing LCA tools for Quebec's construction industry and advising government bodies on sustainable procurement policies.
Thomas Le Goff is an Assistant Professor of Law & Technology at Télécom Paris – Institut Polytechnique de Paris, affiliated with the Interdisciplinary Institute of Innovation (i3) and the Digital, Organization and Society (DTOS) research team. His work bridges legal frameworks and technological advancements, focusing on AI regulation, environmental sustainability, data protection, and cybersecurity. Education: PhD in Private Law, Université Paris Cité Master’s in Law, Université Paris Cité LLM, University of Exeter (UK) Licence and Magistère, Université de Rennes 1 His research explores the intersection of AI and sustainability, emphasizing how legal principles can guide environmentally responsible technology. Key themes include the AI Act’s implications, data center energy demands, and regulatory strategies for balancing digital growth with net-zero targets. His work has been presented at international forums like BILETA and contributes to EU think tanks such as CERRE. Recent publications address AI’s environmental footprint, nuclear energy’s role in powering AI, and legal frameworks for sustainable digital infrastructure. Collaborations with institutions like the Center on Regulation in Europe (CERRE) highlight his focus on comparative analyses of global regulatory practices.
Associate Professor Paola Leardini holds dual roles as Director (Research) and Associate Professor at the University of Queensland's School of Architecture, Design and Planning, within the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology. Her work bridges design and performance in built environments, focusing on net-zero targets, urban resilience, and circular economy strategies in construction. She is a key researcher in the Centre for Future Building Structures and advises on Queensland’s social/affordable housing through the Design Excellence Panel. Leardini earned a PhD in building energy efficiency and environmental quality from Politecnico di Milano, supervised by Prof. P. Ole Fanger. Her educational journey includes studies in Milan, Berlin, Leicester, and Copenhagen. Research highlights include eco-retrofitting of historical districts (e.g., Milan’s Quartiere Mazzini), Passive House adaptations for subtropical climates, and timber construction innovations with the ARC Advance Timber Hub. She co-founded Passive House Institute New Zealand (PHINZ) and collaborates globally on projects like water-sensitive cities and flood-resilient urban design. Her recent publications emphasize timber’s role in sustainable construction, circular economy frameworks, and climate-responsive building systems. Advising includes leading an ARC Linkage project on adaptable housing while fostering industry partnerships through projects like Norman Creek Catchment flood resilience studies. She actively contributes to labs/teams advancing timber use and urban resilience, aligning with UQ's mission for future-ready built environments.
Rajesh Karki is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Engineering. He holds a B.E., M.Sc., and Ph.D. in related fields. His research focuses on power system reliability, renewable energy integration, and microgrid resilience, with particular emphasis on addressing challenges posed by extreme weather, cyber threats, and decarbonization targets. Dr. Karki’s work spans theoretical modeling, probabilistic analysis, and practical implementation strategies for smart grids, energy storage systems, and distributed generation. His educational background includes advanced degrees in electrical engineering, complemented by professional engineering licensure (P.Eng.). His research has explored diverse topics such as wind energy curtailment mitigation, energy storage optimization, and demand response mechanisms in developing economies like Nepal. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications on grid resilience, reliability economics, and cyber-physical system security. Key themes in his work include: (1) quantifying the reliability value of energy storage in active distribution systems, (2) modeling cyber-physical threats to microgrids, and (3) developing frameworks for extreme weather-resilient infrastructure. Despite the volume of his publications (over 50 articles), no specific awards or grants are explicitly listed in the provided materials. His research often intersects technical, economic, and policy dimensions of sustainable energy systems.
Vincent Dufour-Décieux is a researcher at the Professorship for Energy and Process Systems Engineering at ETH Zürich , focusing on developing computational methods for material screening in separation processes and global net-zero transitions. He earned his Master's in Materials Chemistry from Ecole Polytechnique (France) and a PhD in Materials Science from Stanford University , where he pioneered statistical methods combining Kinetic Monte Carlo and random graph theory to study planetary diamond formation. Research Highlights: Application of Classical Density Functional Theory (cDFT) for 100x faster adsorption property predictions in porous materials Development of science-based definitions for "hard-to-abate" emissions to guide climate action prioritization Integration of Coulombic interactions in cDFT for CO2 adsorption accuracy Article Trends : His work spans computational materials science (cDFT, random graph theory) and climate policy analysis, with recent publications in Joule , AIChE Journal , and Physical Review E . These studies emphasize scalable solutions for carbon capture, material screening efficiency, and accurate thermodynamic modeling. Collaborations : Active in international conferences (FOA15, MolMod, Gordon Research Conference) and cross-institutional projects with teams at Stanford, ETH Zürich, and industry partners.
Miguel Mujica Mota is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Technology, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), and a member of the Centre of Applied Research Technology. His research focuses on airport operations, multimodal transport systems, and simulation modeling. He has expertise in analyzing capacity challenges in multi-airport systems, particularly in Mexico City, and developing decision support systems for airport security and resource allocation. His work integrates sustainability and efficiency, addressing topics like environmental reporting in airlines and post-pandemic airport recovery strategies. Research Contributions: Dr. Mujica Mota has published extensively on airport capacity optimization, multimodal transport integration, and simulation-based methodologies. Key projects include the X-TEAM D2D initiative for door-to-door travel and the IMHOTEP project for smart passenger flow management. His work often involves collaboration with institutions like Schiphol Airport and the H2020 EU framework. Research Interests: Airport terminal design, air traffic management, simulation modeling, multimodal logistics, and sustainable aviation. Awards: A-BOOST Research Fund (2020) Beste paper award EMM2018 X-TEAM D2D Project Recognition (2020) Activities: Organized conferences like the 2023 EUROSIM Simulation Seminar and served on committees for events such as the 2024 Multilog Conference. Grants & Projects: Involved in EU-funded initiatives like H2020, focusing on multimodal integration and sustainable transport solutions. His research also explores climate change impacts on infrastructure and simulation-based validation approaches.
Dr. Joanne M Leach is a Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham's Department of Civil Engineering within the School of Engineering. Her work focuses on urban liveability, sustainability, and resilience, emphasizing transdisciplinary collaboration and the science of team science. She holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Birmingham (2020) and earlier degrees in Design Management (MSc, Salford) and International Business (BSc, Trinity University). Dr. Leach has extensive experience in EPSRC-funded projects, including the Liveable Cities Programme Grant (£6M) and the UK Collaboratorium for Research on Infrastructure and Cities (UKCRIC). Her research integrates infrastructure, urban planning, and wellbeing, with notable contributions to policy consultations, media engagements, and international collaborations. Key projects include the Healthy Low-Carbon Transport Hub (2025–present) and the Road to Net Zero initiative (2024–present). Education: PhD in Civil Engineering, University of Birmingham (2020) MSc (Distinction) in Design Management, University of Salford (2010) BSc (Hons) International Business with Mathematics, Trinity University (1995) Research Interests: Dr. Leach's work bridges urban sustainability, infrastructure resilience, and transdisciplinary methodologies. She develops diagnostic tools to assess urban challenges and communicates findings to policymakers. Her recent focus includes low-carbon transport, net-zero urban systems, and the role of infrastructure in wellbeing. She has contributed to high-impact publications and won awards for her work on urban design creativity and sustainable solutions. Awards: 2015 Reed Mallik Prize for Best Paper in Proceedings of the ICE 2020 Richard Trevithick Fund Prize Advising & Grants: Dr. Leach has led or contributed to over £20M in EPSRC-funded projects, including Liveable Cities (£6M) and Designing Resilient Cities (£3M). She advises on policy commissions, such as Future Urban Living (House of Lords) and National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) projects. Her collaborative networks span over 20 UK universities and 200+ industry/government bodies. Labs & Teams: She is integral to UKCRIC and the Centre for Urban Wellbeing at Birmingham, fostering innovation in urban systems through labs like PLEXUS (UKCRIC Pump-Priming Project) and the Urban Living Birmingham pilot.
Uwe Cantner is a Full Professor of Economics at Friedrich Schiller University Jena and holds a professorship at the University of Southern Denmark/Odense. He has held significant roles such as Vice President for Young Researchers and Diversity Management at FSU Jena (2014–2024), Chairman of the German Federal Government's Commission of Experts for Research and Innovation (EFI), and Spokesman of the DFG-GRK 1411 Research Training Group. His work focuses on the economics of innovation, evolutionary economics, industrial economics, productivity measurement, and public finance. Education : Dipl.oec. in Business Administration/Economics (1985) from University of Augsburg; MA in Economics (1984) from Wayne State University; Dr.oec.publ. (1990) and Dr.rer.pol.habil. (1996) from Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich. Cantner's research bridges theoretical and empirical analyses of innovation systems, technological sovereignty, and entrepreneurial ecosystems. He has contributed to debates on missions-oriented innovation policy, productivity dynamics in global value chains, and the role of institutional transparency in regional development. His recent publications analyze industrial policy frameworks (2023), digitalization challenges in European higher education (2022), and corruption-innovation linkages (2020). Articles span evolutionary economics, environmental economics, and policy analysis, with cross-cutting themes in sustainability, governance, and regional development. Cantner actively shapes academic discourse as President of the International Joseph A. Schumpeter Society (since 2015) and editorial roles in journals like the Journal of Evolutionary Economics . He has directed graduate programs and contributed to EU energy transition research through expert surveys.
