Claudia R. Binder

Claudia R. Binder is a Full Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC), holding dual appointments in the Institute of Environmental Engineering (IIE) and Section of Social and Decision Sciences (SSIE). She served as Dean of ENAC from January 2020 to December 2023.

Her educational background includes:

• Biochemistry degree and PhD in Environmental Sciences, ETH Zurich (1985-1996)

Professor Binder's research focuses on urban sustainability transitions through interdisciplinary analysis of:

• Urban metabolism dynamics
• Energy system transformations
• Food and transport sustainability
• Regulatory frameworks in human-environment systems
• Systems science methodologies
• Transdisciplinary integration approaches

Her work combines social, natural, and data sciences to develop assessment tools for sustainable urban development.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Ordinary Membership in Academia Europaea (2022)

Professor Binder has advised 18 PhD students across two cohorts:

• Current: Campfens Jaïr Kees Evert Karel, Frigo Giulia, Huynh Trung Tin, Ladino Cano Simon, Lee Hanbit, Léchot Léonard, Singhvi Ankita
• Graduated: Barsanti Matteo, Bösch Anne Frédérique Cécile Noémi, Fritz Livia Bianca, Halla Pekka Jaakko, Meinherz Franziska, Mühlemeier Susan Marie, Pagani Anna, Pang Melissa, Schilling Thorsten, Serra Coch Gloria, Superti Valeria

She has held significant leadership roles including:

• Research Council, Swiss National Science Foundation (2016-2021)
• Steering Committee, SNSF National Research Program 71 (2016-2021)
• Steering Board, Sustainability Research for Swiss Academies (2019-2023)
• Academic Director, Design Together initiative (2017-2020)

She founded and directs the Laboratory for Human-Environment Relations in Urban Systems (HERUS), which pioneers research on urban sustainability transitions through integrated systems analysis.