Elena Beringer

Elena Beringer is a sustainability researcher and educator affiliated with the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), where she contributes to the Center for Global Change and the Institute for Sustainable Economic Development. She currently serves as a part-time university lecturer at the University of Applied Arts Vienna, teaching 'Theories of Sustainability' in 2025, and has coordinated the Alliance for Sustainable Universities in Austria since 2022.

Her research interests include environmental policy, regional development, transformative education, climate communication, and decolonization in academia. She explores how universities can drive systemic sustainability change through student engagement, institutional alliances, and public discourse. Her work emphasizes participatory governance, equity, and innovative communication strategies.

Her recent publications, primarily in GAIA – Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society, focus on building sustainable university networks, student activism, and urban food councils. She also contributes to knowledge transfer through book chapters on sustainability communication and decolonization.

In 2024, she received the Sustainability Award for her contributions. She is the founder and host of the 'Imagination Podcast,' amplifying discussions on social and environmental transformation.

She has advised on projects related to transformative research and sustainability communication, and her community service includes roles in student organizations, public outreach, and media appearances on climate issues.

She holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Bioresource Management from BOKU and maintains active roles in academic and public spheres, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability and educational innovation.