Frank Biermann and Aarti Gupta new Zennström Professors of Climate Change Leadership

Professor Aarti Gupta from Wageningen University and Professor Frank Biermann from Utrecht University will become Visiting Professors of Climate Change Leadership at Uppsala University. For the first time, two professors will simultaneously hold the visiting professorship.

The ten-year visiting professorship, with a new professor invited each or every other year, is funded by a donation to Uppsala University by entrepreneur Niklas Zennström and his wife, Catherine Zennström.

Professor Frank Biermann

Frank Biermann, Professor of Global Sustainability Governance at Utrecht University, has researched effective and just climate policies for three decades. He was an early pioneer in addressing how planetary-scale governance systems can be built and strengthened to achieve global sustainability goals.

“Joining the Climate Change Leadership team at Uppsala University as a visiting professor presents an exciting opportunity to engage with the University’s world-class climate research. It also offers a chance to further strengthen the collaboration between Uppsala University, Utrecht University, and the expansive global Earth System Governance Project network,” says Biermann.

Professor Aarti Gupta

Aarti Gupta, Professor of Global Environmental Governance at Wageningen University, is a prominent researcher in the intersections of science, technology and global governance, particularly in climate issues. She has a leading role in the international Earth System Governance Project network.

“I look forward to collaborating with the Climate Change Leadership team at Uppsala University as a visiting professor, to further our shared interests in global climate policy and governance, including questions of responsibility, accountability and climate justice,” says Gupta.

Will participate in research and teaching

Aarti Gupta and Frank Biermann will begin their visiting professorships at Uppsala University on 1 March 2025.

“The Zennström professors have greatly contributed to research, education and engagement in climate leadership at Uppsala University over the years, and I truly look forward to welcoming professors Biermann and Gupta for the next term,” says Charlotte Platzer Björkman, Vice-Rector at Uppsala University.

Biermann and Gupta will participate in research, teaching and external outreach at the University, working with the Climate Change Leadership Unit at the Department of Earth Sciences.

“I am delighted to welcome two world-leading researchers to our team. Professors Biermann and Gupta bring unparalleled insight into advancing climate governance, which is more critical than ever when emissions are increasing in today’s polarised world,” says Associate Professor Mikael Karlsson, head of the Climate Change Leadership Unit and responsible for the recruitment process.

For more information

Mikael Karlsson, Associate Professor of Environmental Science at the Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University.
Email: mikael.karlsson@geo.uu.se. Mobile: +46 (0)70-316 27 22

Aarti Gupta, Professor of Global Environmental Governance at Wageningen University, Netherlands
Email: aarti.gupta@wur.nl

Frank Biermann, Professor of Global Sustainability Governance at Utrecht University, Netherlands
Email: f.biermann@uu.nl