The forest-based bioeconomy: actors, politics and policies in Germany and Northern Europe

In this colloquium, I will introduce you to the bioeconomy concept, its meaning and implication for the forest-based sector. This seminar is based on a series of lessons learned from my three-year PhD thesis, which I will be defending in early 2019. In my thesis, I look at different national and European bioeconomy developments with particular focus on Germany, Finland and Sweden – three European bioeconomy leaders, with strong forest industries and different policy approaches and actor constellations involved in achieving this transition. Theoretically, I draw on the broader new institutionalist approach with particular focus on the structural and agential elements of actor networks as well as on the underling beliefs and discourses emerging from these structures. Methodologically, I rely on mixed methods, employing both quantitative (i.e., social network analysis) as well as qualitative methods (i.e., semi-structured interviews, and content analysis). I am looking forward to learning more about Australian research and experiences with the forest-based bioeconomy. If you are interested to find out more about my research, and the bioeconomy concept, visit our blog: www.bioeconomy-conversation.com 

This event is free and open to the public. Registration via Eventbrite.

About the speaker

Alex Giurca holds an MSc in Forestry and Agriculture (MSc European Forestry) from the University of Eastern Finland (Joensuu, Finland) and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Alnarp, Sweden), and a BSc in forest engineering from the Transylvania University of Brasov (Romania). His main research interests are in the area of forest policy and economics, spanning from legality verification, international timber trade, sustainable management certification, and research communication.