Julia Steinberger

Julia Steinberger is a Professor of Ecological Economics at the University of Lausanne. Previously, she held an associate professor position at the University of Leeds (2011–2020) and was a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Social Ecology in Vienna. Her research focuses on the interplay between resource use (energy, materials, greenhouse gases) and societal performance, including economic activity and human well-being.

Education includes a PhD from MIT, followed by postdoctoral work at the Universities of Lausanne and Zurich. She has contributed significantly to understanding sustainable cities and the relationship between material use and economic performance.

Her research interests center on ecological economics, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development. She leads projects like the Leverhulme-funded 'Living Well Within Limits,' exploring pathways to universal well-being within planetary boundaries.

As a Lead Author in IPCC's 6th Assessment Report (Working Group 3), she contributed to climate change mitigation strategies. Awards include the Leverhulme Research Leadership Award.

Her work emphasizes systemic perspectives in political economy and science communication, particularly regarding climate activism and fossil capitalism dynamics.