Polina Baranova

Polina Baranova is an Associate Professor of Strategy and Sustainability at the University of Derby, affiliated with the College of Business, Law and Social Sciences. Her research focuses on green growth, sustainability transitions, and environmental management, particularly in the context of SMEs and multi-stakeholder networks. She has authored numerous reports and journal articles analyzing regional sustainability trends in the East Midlands and frameworks for pro-environmental business support.

Her work emphasizes the intersection of environmental policy, stakeholder collaboration, and business strategy. Key contributions include evaluations of green entrepreneurship programs, studies on place-based business support for net-zero goals, and conceptual frameworks for SME sustainability transitions. She has collaborated with organizations like the D2N2 region and contributed to policy-oriented research on low-carbon economies.

Baranova’s publications span journals such as Business Strategy and the Environment, Local Economy, and Journal of Business Ethics: European Review. Her research highlights the role of multi-stakeholder networks in fostering environmental learning and capability development, as well as the importance of aligning policy with practical business needs in achieving sustainability goals.