MIOIR Seminar Series with Dr. Florian Kern

Supporting sustainability transitions through policy mixes

Dr. Florian Kern, Head of the Research Group on Ecological Economics and Environmental Policy at the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW) in Berlin, will discuss how policy mixes can support sustainability transitions.

Transitions research points to opportunities for policy mixes to play an essential role in triggering the twin dynamics of transition processes, i.e. facilitating the emergence and diffusion of alternative niche practices and stabilising them over time, and actively destabilising and phasing out of unsustainable (Kivimaa & Kern, 2016). These twin dynamics can accelerate transitions towards sustainability that otherwise can take decades due to path-dependencies. Much research has focussed on this topic over the last years. The seminar will reflect on developments in the field, core frameworks and will illustrate this analytical perspective with two empirical examples: an analysis of the European food policy mix and an analysis of the German hydrogen policy mix. Both studies highlight the difficulties of achieving transformative policy polices.

About Dr Florian Kern:

Dr Florian Kern is head of the research group ecological economics and environmental policy at the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW) based in Berlin, Germany. He also coordinates the Institute’s crosscutting themes ’Innovation and Technology’ and ‘Environmental Policy and Governance’. He is an internationally recognised expert in the field of sustainability transitions and has more than 19 years of experience of researching processes of sustainability transitions. His work focusses on the dynamics of transitions, the different actors and governance processes involved, and the policy mixes which can be used to stimulate, accelerate and influence the direction of sustainability transitions. Empirically, he has worked on energy, food and mobility systems as well as issues around biodiversity and circular economy. He has published widely on policy mixes for sustainability transitions, as well as the politics and governance of transitions. His work is highly cited within the academic field of sustainability transitions and beyond. He has recently been elected chair of the Sustainability Transition Research Network (STRN) and is part of the academic sounding board of the Cohesion for Transition (C4T) Community of Practice, appointed by DG Regio. Prior to joining the IÖW, Dr Kern was based at Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), University of Sussex (2005- 2018).

The runs a series of regular seminars given by visiting speakers to Manchester. These seminars are open to anybody who is interested in science, technology and innovation policy and management.

This event is in person for AMBS and UoM staff and students, with an online option available. External participants are welcome to join online via Zoom:

https://zoom.us/j/92204390806
Meeting ID: 922 0439 0806 | Passcode: 922395

Host or Publisher Alliance Manchester Business School