I am a political ecologist working in forest conservation and politics of environment-development in Chinese investments in Pakistan under the China-Pakistan economic corridor.

Alex is a PhD student in social philosophy at Tampere University and an associate director - social specialist at Wardell Armstrong International. His research involves introducing critical theory approaches (e.g., Recognition theory, decolonial and critical gender theories), to implement novel practices in environmental, social, community health and human rights impact assessment studies. His work in ESG consultancy is largely conducted in the Global South, evaluating impacts from renewable energy, oil and gas, mining and infrastructure projects, with a focus on vulnerable groups.

Hi! I am Marianna Birmoser Ferreira-Aulu, project researcher and doctoral student at the University of Turku (UTU), Finland. My long-term professional goal is to contribute to society by exploring innovative pathways towards just and sustainable futures. I intend to do this by producing high-quality scientific materials, by popularizing science to catalyze positive transformations, and by engaging with the civil society to collaborate with various stakeholders. During the past five years, I have been working as project researcher in two departments in the University of Turku: the Finland Futures Research Centre, and the Centre for Collaborative Research. I have been engaged with various projects in strategic foresight, futures literacy, sustainability and climate action, renewable energy, food research, and international collaboration. In addition to desk research, I enjoy doing workshop facilitation (have experience in Finland, Peru and Colombia). I have also been quite active in public speaking, by giving talks in various seminars and conferences. I also enjoy cooperating to developing the strategy of our own organization. I have represented UTU in international cooperation initiatives through international education services. Since the beginning of 2021, I have also been pursuing my doctoral degree in Futures Studies. The working-title of my dissertation is “Building a Strategic Roadmap for Ecologically Sound and Socio-politically supported Conservation of the Brazilian Amazonia”. The research takes into consideration the local socio-political dynamics, the uniqueness of its peoples and its biodiversity. I look at the conservation of Amazonia as a wicked problem that needs diverse set of actions to attempt to solve it. This research topic is a continuation, and expansion of my Master’s Thesis, where I explored futures scenarios for the Volta Grande do Xingu, the region most affected by the construction of the Belo Monte Dam, in the East of the Brazilian Amazonia.

Applying foresight methods and tools in a range of topics, in particular to anticipate the energy transition in the Global South. Research interests: anticipatory governance, innovation ecosystems, off-grid solar photovoltaics, pioneer analysis, science-communication, startups. Co-author of "Electrification in Peer-to-Peer Society - a New Narrative for Sustainable Futures" (2019) and "La Electrificación en la Sociedad Entre Pares – Una Nueva Narrativa para Futuros Sostenibles" (2020).

Projects

Neo-Carbon Enabling Neo-Growth Society – Transformative Energy Futures 2050

Projects

NAMURBAN (Urban Resource Efficiency in Developing Countries)

Projects

Promotion of Capacity and Energy Education Development in the Caribbean Region (PROCEED CARIBBEAN)

CHINA AND EUROPEAN UNION IN THE CONTEXT OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: ANALYSIS OF CHANGING ECONOMIC STRUCTURES AND RELATED POLICIES (CHEC)

GREEN ECONOMY TRANSITIONS IN LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES (GET-LDC)

Higher Education Institutional Cooperation Instrument-Sustainable Climate Change and Energy Education Development

SCALING UP LOW CARBON HOUSEHOLD TECHNOLOGIES IN THE LOWER MEKONG SUB REGION (DIAMOND)

REDEFINING ENERGY AND CLIMATE POLICY IN THE LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES: ANALYZING INSTITUTIONS AND INITIATIVES IN THE MEKONG REGION (RECLAIM)

WHY RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS FAIL OR SUCCEED? DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OFENERGY ASSISTANCE PROJECTS IN CAMBODIA AND LAO PDR (DREAM)

ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR ALL (ENERGY FOR ALL) 2011–2014

FUTURE RESOURCE ECONOMY AND POLICIES IN LAOS TILL THE YEAR 2020 (FREPLA)

ADEQUACY OF CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION INITIATIVES IN LAOS AND CAMBODIA (COOL)

INTERLINKAGES BETWEEN ENERGY AND LIVELIHOODS - DATA, TRAINING AND SCENARIOSFOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PLANNING IN LAOS (INES)

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT (SEED)

INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY OF CAMBODIA AND FINLAND FUTURES RESEARCH CENTRE (ICI-CAMBODIA)

INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURES PROJECT BETWEEN FACULTY OF ENGINEERING OF NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF LAOS AND FINLAND FUTURES RESEARCH CENTRE

Sustainable energy systems and policies. Activities in India, China, and Latin America.

Projects

Solar pico grid systems for rural India

Concentrating solar power production technologies

I am an academic energy professional with a long history of energy education and research. I have in-depth understanding concerning renewables and the recent developments in the energy sector. The focus areas in my teaching and research activities are renewable energy and energy systems. Since 2020 my teaching focus has shifted to engineering mathematics.

Ph.D. student of Technical Sciences at the University of Vaasa - Finland. Master of Science in Engineering, Environmental and Energy Engineering, the University of Sheffield - UK. Industrial Engineer, Universidad Santiago de Cali - Colombia. Currently working as a project researcher at VEBIC@University of Vaasa. Work experience in several electricity companies in Colombia.