Sonja Nielsen

Sonja's research interests lie in the intersection(s) of environmental governance, science and technology studies (STS), participatory design, and sustainability science. Her dissertation aims to evaluate and further develop participatory governance instruments for steering socio-technical sustainability transformations. More precisely, she explores the Transition arena method as a knowledge coproduction instrument in the Finnish political context. She conducts her research as part of Experimental environmental governance: coproduction and orchestration of transformative change (EE-GOCO) consortium of Aalto University and the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) funded by the Research Council of Finland. She is also part of Reducing polarization via material participation (MaterialDemocracy) consortium, which focuses on the future of democracy by developing the knowledge base and expertise to respond to the radical societal shifts associated with climate change, urbanisation, the green transition and species loss. The consortium is funded by the Strategic Resource Council (SRC) and includes Aalto University, University of Helsinki, University of Eastern Finland, LUT University, and Demos Helsinki.

Before starting her doctoral studies, Sonja worked as a senior designer and sustainability specialist in several consultancies, collaborating with public and private sector organizations on various development projects. Sonja pursued her Master's degree in the transdisciplinary Creative Sustainability Master's program at Aalto University, before which she studied at Lund University, Emily Carr University of Art+Design, and University of Helsinki. Sonja's educational background combines sustainability science, transitions research, service and industrial design, and environmental economics.