Neelakshi Joshi

Neelakshi Joshi is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER) in Dresden, Germany, where she investigates the intersection of urban energy transition and landscape change. She has held academic positions at the University of Alberta, BMS College of Architecture, and Manipal School of Architecture & Planning, reflecting a strong international academic background.

Her educational qualifications include a PhD from the Technical University of Dresden, a Master’s in Urban and Rural Planning from IIT Roorkee, and a Bachelor of Architecture from BIT Ranchi. Her research is deeply interdisciplinary, focusing on urban governance, climate resilience, socio-ecological-technical systems, and sustainability transitions.

Joshi’s recent publications reveal a consistent focus on energy justice, neighborhood-level climate action, community resilience, and transdisciplinary research practices. Her work spans journals in urban planning, energy policy, geography, and environmental science, indicating broad scholarly impact. Themes include participatory governance, equity in energy transitions, and the role of grassroots movements.

She has received notable recognition including the BioOne Ambassador Award and the Campus Sustainability Leadership Award. She is actively involved in research networks such as WISER and STRN, and serves on committees including the Berkeley Prize. Her teaching experience includes graduate and undergraduate courses on low-carbon cities and sustainability design.

• BioOne Ambassador Award, Science communication, Washington, USA (2022)
• Campus Sustainability Leadership Award, University of Alberta, Canada (2021)
• Terra Award, honourable mention, CRAterre-ENSAG, Lyon, France (2016)
• Berkeley Prize, Undergraduate Essay Competition, Berkeley, USA (2009)
• Green Design Competition, jury commendation, Indian Green Building Council, India (2009)

Joshi advises on research related to community-based climate action and has participated in numerous collaborative and transdisciplinary projects. Her work often involves stakeholder engagement and aims to bridge science, policy, and practice. She is a member of the Post-Doctoral Fellows Association at the University of Alberta and contributes to initiatives promoting inclusivity in sustainable energy research.

Her research is supported by her active involvement in academic and professional communities, including the Sustainability Transitions Research Network and steering roles in diversity-focused initiatives. She continues to publish extensively on themes of urban sustainability, governance, and justice.