معرفی
Anita Engels is a Professor of Sociology, especially Globalization, Environment, and Society, at the University of Hamburg, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Department of Social Sciences. She is a leading figure in environmental sociology and climate change research, with a focus on carbon governance, societal transformation, and the social plausibility of climate futures. She has been a key contributor to major interdisciplinary research clusters such as CliSAP and CLICCS, and co-edits the Hamburg Climate Futures Outlook.
- W3 Professorship since 2009
- Junior Professorship 2005–2009
- Postdoc at Stanford University (1999–2001)
- PhD from Bielefeld University
Her research examines the interplay between scientific knowledge, public perception, and policy action in climate governance. She investigates corporate decarbonization, urban climate labs, and the role of institutions and individuals in sustainability transitions. Her work integrates economic sociology, science-policy interfaces, and transdisciplinary methodologies.
Her recent publications analyze the social plausibility of deep decarbonization, corporate accountability, and co-produced governance in cities like Hamburg and São Paulo. She emphasizes the need for systemic change over individual behavior alone and critically engages with carbon markets and financialization of environmental policy.
Anita Engels is actively involved in public discourse and policy advising. She serves on the Hamburg Climate Council and the German Science Platform for Climate Protection. She frequently contributes to media discussions, podcasts, and public lectures on climate justice, urban sustainability, and the social dimensions of climate change.
- Advisory roles in climate policy
- Regular media engagement (NDR, WDR, Tagesspiegel, etc.)
- Public lectures and panel discussions
- Contributions to expert statements and policy papers
She leads and participates in numerous transdisciplinary projects, including real-world laboratories in urban settings, and fosters international collaborations, particularly with Brazil and France. Her work bridges academic research and societal transformation, advocating for equitable and feasible climate futures.
