Interview

1. Who are you and what are you doing at SOT?

Since 2024, I have been a professor at TUM, where I lead the research group "Public Policy for the Green Transition." Additionally, I am establishing a lab at the TUM Think Tank that will closely collaborate with political actors on research topics.

 

2. What are your research fields and what fascinates you about them?

How do we build a society that uses energy and natural resources wisely, ensuring a livable planet for future generations? This question drives and motivates me. In my professorship, we examine two aspects of this. The required economic and societal transformation demands enormous investments, particularly in developing countries. We work directly with actors such as the World Bank to analyze the political frameworks needed to channel funds into climate-compatible technologies, companies, infrastructure, and projects. Transformation means change, and change never happens without friction. Therefore, we study how governments can design transformational policies that benefit people. We specifically analyze green industrial policies, which involve the strategic promotion of green economic sectors, as many governments are currently implementing. Ultimately, research, no matter how excellent, must be relevant and lead to real changes. Hence, the third priority of the Public Policy for the Green Transition group is collaboration with policymakers – which we pursue in the TUM Think Tank Lab.

 

3. What are the currently important subject areas in your research? How have these changed in the last few years and do you have any ideas about how these will change in the next two years?

My research area is the economics and politics of the sustainability transition. This field is changing rapidly—fortunately. Especially in economics, a greater plurality of thought is emerging, moving away from the purist interpretation of efficient markets. Recently, Nobel laureate Prof. Angus Deaton, in his essay "Rethinking my economics," has beautifully articulated this shift. This openness allows for new approaches to green industrial policy that reflect political realities as well as economic benefits and costs.

In addition to this shift, I anticipate two major trends in the coming years. Social science research can access increasingly larger and more timely datasets. One example is the analysis of current labor market shifts in the climate transition based on LinkedIn data, which are always up-to-date and very comprehensive. Furthermore, research on African countries will become more important. The population on the African continent continues to grow rapidly with comparatively underdeveloped infrastructure. Here, research can and must help identify and leverage development potentials that reflect climatic realities.

 

4. How did you become a professor and why at TUM?

 I love the freedom to let my intellectual curiosity run free and to work with intrinsically motivated people from all over the world. TUM is an ideal place for me for two reasons. I am convinced that technology is becoming increasingly important in our lives. Political decision-makers need to understand technology. If they don't, we risk wasting taxpayer money and losing democratic decision-making spaces. TUM is ideally positioned for this as a leading university in Europe. Additionally, TUM has committed itself to an ambitious sustainability strategy and professionally addresses the intersection with politics through the TUM Think Tank, a first for a technical university in Europe.

 

5. What can a degree program achieve today and why should people study with you?

Studying is not the only path in life, but it can help develop a critical perspective on the events of our world. I hope that students gain a basic understanding of the sustainability transformation and, above all, the feeling that they can make a difference. We live in the privileged position of being able to shape our lives—politically, socially, and economically. Learning to use this privilege wisely is a major goal of my teaching.

 

6. From whom have you learned the most in your life?

I have learned so many different things from different people. I believe that one learns the most and the best in the diversity of a community. I have also learned from my cat—calmness and being ready at the right moment.

 

7. Is there something you've always wanted to try and haven't gotten around to yet? If so, why haven't you gotten around to it yet?

Oh, there are countless things I would love to do. I once worked in Dakar, Senegal. I would have loved to stay there and build something. Unfortunately, it didn't fit into my life plan and my partnership at the time.

 

8. Which sentence would start your biography?

If it ever comes to that, the author should decide.

 

9. What might your daily life look like without work?

More sleep, less coffee, more theater, more gardening, more mountains and sea.

 

10. Is there an item that you wouldn't want to be without in your life? If yes, which and why?

A black tourmaline. The "why" remains a secret.

 

11. What is your favorite book and why would you recommend it?

"Homegoing" by Yaa Gyasi is indeed a literary masterpiece. It provides insight into the colonial past of West Africa and its present-day effects through a very personal family narrative.