Gesa Pflitsch

Gesa Pflitsch is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Landscape Development, Recreation and Nature Conservation Planning (ILEN), Department for Landscape, Water and Infrastructure, BOKU Vienna. She also held the position of Associate Professor at the Mohn Center for Innovation and Regional Development, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (2022-2023). Her research focuses on regional sustainability transitions, institutional dynamics, and transformative knowledge regions, with a strong emphasis on the role of higher education institutions and civil society actors.

• Education: PhD in Human Geography (2016-2019, Philipps University of Marburg); MSc in Human Geography (2010-2013); MA in Communication Science (2004-2009, University of Münster).

Her work explores micro-dynamics in regional transitions, boundary-spanning capacity, and institutional change through publications in journals like Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, Energy Research & Social Science, and Research Policy. She has contributed to understanding sustainability transitions in conflict zones and urban contexts, with recent projects analyzing the role of universities as institutional entrepreneurs.

Notable scientific awards include Post-Doc and PhD scholarships from the University of Marburg. She actively participates in community services as a reviewer for journals and as a member of scientific advisory boards for EU-funded projects.