Mattijs Smits

Dr. Mattijs Smits is an Assistant Professor at the Environmental Policy Group of Wageningen University. His research and teaching focus on energy policy, environmental governance, climate finance, and sustainable development, with a regional emphasis on Southeast Asia. He holds a BSc and MSc from Utrecht University and Wageningen University, and PhD degrees from The University of Sydney and Chiang Mai University through a cotutelle arrangement. His work integrates sociological and geographical perspectives to analyze energy transitions, resource management, and the interplay between governance and socio-technical practices.

Education Background:

• BSc from University of Utrecht
• MSc from Wageningen University
• PhD (cotutelle) from The University of Sydney and Chiang Mai University

Research Interests:

• Energy policy and politics in Southeast Asia (Laos, Thailand, Vietnam)
• Climate governance and sustainability transitions
• Socio-technical practices and actor-network theory
• Resource management and renewable energy

Key Projects:

• Cross-cultural household energy practices in Global North/South
• Low-carbon city development in Southeast Asia
• Wind energy governance through the Holi-Doktor project
• Development of energy education in the Mekong region (DEEM)

Teaching: Coordinates courses on environmental policy analysis, social theory of environmental issues, and international study visits. Supervises MSc theses and internships.

Future Work: Focuses on advancing interdisciplinary approaches to energy transitions, climate justice, and the governance of socio-technical practices in Southeast Asia.