Rahmat Riyadi is a doctoral researcher at Utrecht University’s Faculty of Humanities, specializing in sustainable energy transitions and just governance in the Global South. Hailing from Makassar, Indonesia, he brings a distinct interdisciplinary perspective that bridges environmental science, socio-technical transitions, and policy analysis. His academic path began with a Bachelor’s degree in Geophysics from Hasanuddin University, followed by a Master’s in Ecology and Environmental Studies from Nalanda University in India, where he deepened his engagement with justice-centered approaches to sustainability.

His current research is affiliated with the Deep Transitions Lab and the Utrecht University Center for Global Challenges (UGlobe), investigating how Indonesia’s biofuel transition can be reconfigured to promote more just and inclusive energy futures. His work integrates frameworks such as Strategic Niche Management (SNM), the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP), and Deep Transitions (DT) theory to examine governance and stakeholder narratives in multi-system transitions. In addition to his research, he serves as a co-teacher in the interdisciplinary “TIC” course, mentoring students as they tackle complex real-world challenges related to sustainability.

His broader experience spans civil society organizations, energy policy advocacy, and academic collaboration. He previously worked with NGOs and a carbon trading startup in Jakarta, where he supported policy research, stakeholder engagement, and community-driven energy strategies. In 2018, he was selected as a YSEALI Academic Fellow at Kennesaw State University in Georgia, USA, where he studied civic engagement and leadership in the context of U.S. history. His writing has appeared in respected platforms such as The Jakarta Post, ISEAS–Fulcrum, and Green Network Asia, where he shares insights on climate justice, inclusive transitions, and the evolving energy landscape in Southeast Asia.