Circular Plastics Economy

Dr. Anna Lähde is an associate professor and leader of the Sustainable Materials Group at Fine Particle and Aerosol Technology Laboratory, Department of Environment and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland. She was the recipient of the prestigious Academy of Finland Research Fellowship in the year 2017. Her research is focused on the development of sustainable materials for clean air and water applications. The studies include formation, preparation and characterization of the sustainable nano- and micron-sized materials using sustainable precursors. Her research also includes the analysis and toxicological effects of these materials and airborne particles. In her recent studies, she has focused on the synthesis of novel materials including carbon structures and graphene, superparamagnetic particles (e.g. iron and iron oxides) and catalytic materials (Au, Co) using aerosol processes and induction annealing.

Dr. Hanna Lehtimäki is a professor of Innovation Management in Business School and a Director of Research Center for Sustainable Circular Economy at the University of Finland. Her research examines circular economy with theoretical frameworks on strategic management, organization theory, leadership, and entrepreneurship. She and her research team advance transdisciplinary social sciences research and societal impact in sustainability transition. Her research articles have appeared in academic journals internationally and she has authored books on strategic management and leadership. She holds leader positions in research consortiums examining circular economy in Finland and India in connection to microplastics, battery metals, and electric mobility. In her capacity as a Vice Director of UEF strategic research community Sustainable Resource Society: Circular Economy, Energy and Raw Materials, (www.uef.fi/en/rc-resource), she advances multidisciplinary social sciences research agenda for sustainability transition in business and society.