A warm welcome to six outstanding early-career researchers who’ve joined the RECODE MLG team:
- Katherine Arena
- Karin Fossheim
- Katharina Mueller
- Marjan Marjanovic
- Tatiana Sarasenko
- Pieter Velghe
Their research will play a key role in examining collaborative methods and policy design across regions. From exploring institutional frameworks to citizen-driven practices, they are already shaping the direction of our work.
We’re excited to have their voices, energy, and expertise on board.
KATHERINE ARENA
From University of Groningen, is doing her PhD within the framework of the Work Package 3 and she is researching the role of transnational city networks in relation to the multilevel governance of the twin transition
KARIN FOSSHEIM
Is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Agder, Norway. In RECODE MLG, her contributions involve: 1) development of a co-creation multi-level governance (MLG) manual, 2) formulation of policy guidelines on MLG co-creation, and 3) scientific coordination of the project.
MARJAN MARJANOVIC
Together with the team at UNIL, Marjan leads the development of the project’s theoretical framework, integrating multilevel governance (MLG) and co-creation, with a focus on how co-creation can enhance democratic legitimacy and efficiency in EU policy processes. He also contributes to data collection and comparative analysis of city networks, cross-border regions, and co-creation practices in the context of the EU’s twin transition.
KATHARINA MUELLER
Supervised by Prof. Dr. Jale Tosun, leads Heidelberg University’s role in the RECODE MLG project, studying multi-level governance in the twin transition process across rural, peri-urban, and urban areas. Katharina co-designs a comparative survey in Germany and Norway on public views of digitalization and climate action, examining policy assessments and responsibility attribution. Working with diverse partners, she aims to support the development of effective governance approaches for twin transition and to deepen scientific insights.
PIETER VELGHE
Is the main researcher at UCLouvain for Work Package 7 Experimentation with Co-Creation Labs. Our task is to use the insights of the empirical WPs to design, organize, and analyze four co-creation labs that focus on the inclusion of those most affected by the twin transition. With this work, we hope to provide a guide for future research and implementation of co-creation, especially in the context of multilevel governance and the twin transition.
TATIANA SARASEKO
Is a doctoral researcher at the University of Groningen, specializing in sustainable urban development and global urban cooperation. Her research examines the advocacy of transnational municipal networks (TMNs) in climate change and energy transition within the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN). She explores TMNs’ strategies, institutional opportunities and constraints, and policy outcomes, highlighting their institutionalized yet rigid role in the EU versus their uninstitutionalized but flexible role at the UN.
