Dr. Simona Negro

Universitair hoofddocent
Innovatiewetenschappen
s.o.negro@uu.nl

“A systems perspective is essential, encompassing not just technological innovations but also behavioral changes across all actors, along with new business models and social innovations that drive systemic change”

 

Dr. Simona O. Negro is an Associate Professor at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University. Her research focuses on Mission-specific Innovation Systems, which are frameworks designed to tackle complex societal challenges by aligning diverse stakeholders, policies, and technologies towards specific sustainability goals.

Her empirical work addresses critical sustainability domains such as the energy transition, protein transition (shifting from animal-based to plant-based proteins), and circular economy (promoting resource efficiency and waste reduction). Dr. Negro emphasizes the importance of adopting a systems perspective, considering not only technological innovations but also changes in behavior among all actors within the innovation system, including consumers, industries, and policymakers. She also highlights the role of new business models and social innovations that support systemic change.

Her research identifies key processes employed by various actors—such as entrepreneurs, incumbent firms, consumers, intermediaries and policymakers—that either enable or impede the acceleration of these transitions. By focusing on the interdependencies between technological, social, and behavioral factors, intervention strategies can be designed to accelerate sustainable transitions.

 

Dr. Simona O. Negro and colleagues also contributed to research analyzing the lack of prioritization of circularity in the Dutch housing, energy, and plastic packaging sectors. The study, part of a collaboration with the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) and other partners. The findings will inform the upcoming Integrated Circular Economy Report (ICER) to support businesses and policymakers:.

Circularity not yet a priority in Dutch housing, energy, or plastic packaging sectors - News - Utrecht University (uu.nl)