Bradley Loewen
Bradley Loewen
Onsager Fellow (Associate Professor) in STS and sustainability transitions
bradley.loewen@ntnu.no
About
Bradley Loewen is an Onsager Fellow (Associate Professor) in STS and sustainability transitions and was previously a postdoctoral researcher at the Norwegian Centre for Energy Transition Strategies (FME NTRANS) at the NTNU Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and Culture (KULT). He contributes to the Centre for Energy, Climate and Environment and Good Infrastructures research groups based on interests in planning, innovation, sustainability transitions and societal transformation. His research bridges multiple policy spheres and analytical perspectives including socio-technical and socio-ecological systems, geographies of innovation, political economy, institutional analysis and transition studies.
His interdisciplinary approach connects high level EU and national policies to regional systems, local development and stakeholder groups in various sectors. In prior work, he was a Marie Curie Individual Fellow in his project PeripheRIS, “Enabling institutional support for innovation in peripheries,” and a Marie Curie Early Stage Researcher in the ITN RegPol2, “Socio-economic and political responses to regional polarization in Central and Eastern Europe.” Bradley focuses now on the Nordic-Baltic region with strong collaborations in Estonia. He has a PhD in Economics from the University of Tartu (Tartu, Estonia), an Master in Sustainable Urban Planning and Design from KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Stockholm, Sweden), and a Bachelor of Commerce in Real Estate from the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada). He also has more than 15 years of research experience, including at the University of British Columbia's School of Population and Public Health (Vancouver, Canada) and the University of Toronto's Global Cities Institute (Toronto, Canada). He has authored 15 academic articles and book chapters since 2015 and has served as a reviewer for outlets including Energy Policy, Energy Research & Social Science, Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, Globalizations, Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, European Countryside, Land, Moravian Geographical Reports, Regional Studies, Regional Studies-Regional Science, Routledge, Sustainability and Urban Planning, as well as for the European Commission and European Investment Bank.
Competencies
- Areaplanning
- City and regional planning
- Collaborative planning
- Communicative planning
- EU - European policy
- Economic Geography
- Energy transition
- Governance
- Innovation
- Planning
- Political Economy
- Regional Policy
- Regional development
- Sustainability transition
- Sustainable urban development
- Urban and regional planning
- Urban governance
- Varieties of capitalism
- bærekraftsoverganger
- local planning
Research
Publications
2025
-
Gaffuri, Gabriele;
Crowther, Ami;
Foulds, Chris;
Heidenreich, Sara;
Loewen, Bradley;
Rohse, Melanie.
(2025)
Strengthening the integration of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) in the SET Plan: Policy recommendations for SET Plan Implementation Plans.
SSH Centre
Report
2024
-
Malaise, Julie;
Rohse, Melanie;
Foulds, Chris;
Loewen, Bradley;
Crowther, Ami.
(2024)
Citizen-led recommendations for the Horizon Europe Missions on sustainability.
SSH CENTRE
Report
-
Loewen, Bradley.
(2024)
From Social Barriers to Transformative Planning in Energy Transitions: Learning from Norwegian Planners' Perspectives.
Urban Planning
Academic article
2023
-
Korsnes, Marius;
Loewen, Bradley;
Dale, Ragnhild Freng;
Steen, Markus;
Skjølsvold, Tomas Moe.
(2023)
Paradoxes of Norway’s energy transition: controversies and justice.
Climate Policy
Academic article
-
Plüschke-Altof, Bianka;
Loewen, Bradley James;
Müüripeal, Anni;
Sooväli-Sepping, Helen.
(2023)
Balancing participatory planning and planning for resilience in nature-based solutions. A case of transformative agency?.
Geografiska Annaler: Series B, Human Geography
Academic article
2022
-
Loewen, Bradley.
(2022)
Revitalizing varieties of capitalism for sustainability transitions research: Review, critique and way forward.
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
Academic article
-
Loewen, Bradley.
(2022)
Coal, green growth and crises: Exploring three European Union policy responses to regional energy transitions.
Energy Research & Social Science
Academic article
-
Loewen, Bradley;
Larssæther, Stig;
Krangsås, Savis Gohari;
Vinge, Heidi;
Temeljotov Salaj, Alenka.
(2022)
Contested Urban Green Space Development: Rolling Back the Frontiers of Sustainability in Trondheim, Norway.
Springer Nature
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
2021
-
Baer, Daniela;
Loewen, Bradley;
Cheng, Caroline Y;
Thomsen, Judith;
Wyckmans, Annemie;
Temeljotov Salaj, Alenka.
(2021)
Approaches to Social Innovation in Positive Energy Districts
(PEDs)—A Comparison of Norwegian Projects.
Sustainability
Academic article
2020
-
Loewen, Bradley.
(2020)
Cities and regions in crisis: The political economy of sub-national economic development.
Regional studies
Book review
-
Loewen, Bradley.
(2020)
Regionaalareng: Kohapime regionaalpoliitika ei vähenda ääremaastumist.
Postimees
Popular scientific article
-
Plüschke-Altof, Bianka;
Loewen, Bradley;
Leetmaa, Kadri.
(2020)
Increasing regional polarisation in Estonia.
Eesti inimarengu aruanne
Popular scientific article
-
Temeljotov Salaj, Alenka;
Loewen, Bradley.
(2020)
The next generation of smart citizens: Experiences and inspiration from the +CityxChange project.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
2019
-
Loewen, Bradley;
Schulz, Sebastian.
(2019)
Questioning the Convergence of Cohesion and Innovation Policies in Central and Eastern Europe. In: Regional and Local Development in Times of Polarisation: Re-thinking Spatial Policies in Europe.
Palgrave Macmillan
Palgrave Macmillan
Popular scientific book
2018
-
Loewen, Bradley.
(2018)
From Decentralization to Re-Centralization: Tendencies of Regional Policy and Inequalities in Central and Eastern Europe.
Halduskultuur
Academic article
-
Loewen, Bradley.
(2018)
Towards territorial cohesion? Path dependence and path innovation of regional policy in Central and Eastern Europe.
Tartu Ülikool Kirjastus
Dissertationes Rerum Oeconomicarum Universitatis Tartuensis (62)
Academic monograph
-
Loewen, Bradley.
(2018)
Cohesion Policy and institutional change in Hungary and Estonia.
Regional Studies, Regional Science
Academic article
-
Loewen, Bradley;
Raagmaa, Garri.
(2018)
Introduction to the Special Issue: Territoriality and Governance in the Globalizing European Eastern Peripheries.
Halduskultuur
Academic article
-
Dyba, Wojciech;
Loewen, Bradley;
Looga, Jaan;
Zdražil, Pavel.
(2018)
Regional Development in Central-Eastern European Countries at the Beginning of the 21st Century: Path Dependence and Effects of EU Cohesion Policy.
Quaestiones Geographicae
Academic article
2016
-
Loewen, Bradley.
(2016)
Omavalitsuste liitmine või innovatsioon?.
Postimees
Letter to the editor
2015
-
Loewen, Bradley.
(2015)
Contextualising regional policy for territorial cohesion in Central and Eastern Europe.
Hungarian Geographical Bulletin
Academic article
Journal publications
-
Loewen, Bradley.
(2024)
From Social Barriers to Transformative Planning in Energy Transitions: Learning from Norwegian Planners' Perspectives.
Urban Planning
Academic article
-
Korsnes, Marius;
Loewen, Bradley;
Dale, Ragnhild Freng;
Steen, Markus;
Skjølsvold, Tomas Moe.
(2023)
Paradoxes of Norway’s energy transition: controversies and justice.
Climate Policy
Academic article
-
Plüschke-Altof, Bianka;
Loewen, Bradley James;
Müüripeal, Anni;
Sooväli-Sepping, Helen.
(2023)
Balancing participatory planning and planning for resilience in nature-based solutions. A case of transformative agency?.
Geografiska Annaler: Series B, Human Geography
Academic article
-
Loewen, Bradley.
(2022)
Revitalizing varieties of capitalism for sustainability transitions research: Review, critique and way forward.
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
Academic article
-
Loewen, Bradley.
(2022)
Coal, green growth and crises: Exploring three European Union policy responses to regional energy transitions.
Energy Research & Social Science
Academic article
-
Baer, Daniela;
Loewen, Bradley;
Cheng, Caroline Y;
Thomsen, Judith;
Wyckmans, Annemie;
Temeljotov Salaj, Alenka.
(2021)
Approaches to Social Innovation in Positive Energy Districts
(PEDs)—A Comparison of Norwegian Projects.
Sustainability
Academic article
-
Loewen, Bradley.
(2020)
Cities and regions in crisis: The political economy of sub-national economic development.
Regional studies
Book review
-
Loewen, Bradley.
(2020)
Regionaalareng: Kohapime regionaalpoliitika ei vähenda ääremaastumist.
Postimees
Popular scientific article
-
Plüschke-Altof, Bianka;
Loewen, Bradley;
Leetmaa, Kadri.
(2020)
Increasing regional polarisation in Estonia.
Eesti inimarengu aruanne
Popular scientific article
-
Loewen, Bradley.
(2018)
From Decentralization to Re-Centralization: Tendencies of Regional Policy and Inequalities in Central and Eastern Europe.
Halduskultuur
Academic article
-
Loewen, Bradley.
(2018)
Cohesion Policy and institutional change in Hungary and Estonia.
Regional Studies, Regional Science
Academic article
-
Loewen, Bradley;
Raagmaa, Garri.
(2018)
Introduction to the Special Issue: Territoriality and Governance in the Globalizing European Eastern Peripheries.
Halduskultuur
Academic article
-
Dyba, Wojciech;
Loewen, Bradley;
Looga, Jaan;
Zdražil, Pavel.
(2018)
Regional Development in Central-Eastern European Countries at the Beginning of the 21st Century: Path Dependence and Effects of EU Cohesion Policy.
Quaestiones Geographicae
Academic article
-
Loewen, Bradley.
(2016)
Omavalitsuste liitmine või innovatsioon?.
Postimees
Letter to the editor
-
Loewen, Bradley.
(2015)
Contextualising regional policy for territorial cohesion in Central and Eastern Europe.
Hungarian Geographical Bulletin
Academic article
Books
-
Loewen, Bradley;
Schulz, Sebastian.
(2019)
Questioning the Convergence of Cohesion and Innovation Policies in Central and Eastern Europe. In: Regional and Local Development in Times of Polarisation: Re-thinking Spatial Policies in Europe.
Palgrave Macmillan
Palgrave Macmillan
Popular scientific book
-
Loewen, Bradley.
(2018)
Towards territorial cohesion? Path dependence and path innovation of regional policy in Central and Eastern Europe.
Tartu Ülikool Kirjastus
Dissertationes Rerum Oeconomicarum Universitatis Tartuensis (62)
Academic monograph
Part of book/report
-
Loewen, Bradley;
Larssæther, Stig;
Krangsås, Savis Gohari;
Vinge, Heidi;
Temeljotov Salaj, Alenka.
(2022)
Contested Urban Green Space Development: Rolling Back the Frontiers of Sustainability in Trondheim, Norway.
Springer Nature
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Temeljotov Salaj, Alenka;
Loewen, Bradley.
(2020)
The next generation of smart citizens: Experiences and inspiration from the +CityxChange project.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Report
-
Gaffuri, Gabriele;
Crowther, Ami;
Foulds, Chris;
Heidenreich, Sara;
Loewen, Bradley;
Rohse, Melanie.
(2025)
Strengthening the integration of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) in the SET Plan: Policy recommendations for SET Plan Implementation Plans.
SSH Centre
Report
-
Malaise, Julie;
Rohse, Melanie;
Foulds, Chris;
Loewen, Bradley;
Crowther, Ami.
(2024)
Citizen-led recommendations for the Horizon Europe Missions on sustainability.
SSH CENTRE
Report
Teaching
Courses
- KULT2025 - Sustainability and societal transformation
- KULT3025 - Sustainability and societal transformation
- KULT8123 - Environmental Sustainability and Societal Transformation
- KULT8124 - Environmental Sustainability and Societal Transformation
Contributed lectures:
- TBA 4176 - Property and Facilities Management
- TBA 4179 - Urban Facilities Management
- KULT 8123-8124 - Environmental Sustainability and Societal Transformation
Outreach
2025
-
Academic lectureLoewen, Bradley; Streifeneder, Thomas. (2025) Smart(er) rural areas - Framing 'smart villages' for improved conceptual development and policy in the EU. Regional Studies Association Regional Studies Association Annual Conference 2025 , Porto 2025-05-06 - 2025-05-09
2024
-
Academic lectureLoewen, Bradley; Leetmaa, Kadri. (2024) Rethinking smartification from the rural margins. Regional Studies Association Regional Studies Association Annual Conference 2024 , Florence 2024-06-11 - 2024-06-14
2023
-
Academic lectureLoewen, Bradley. (2023) Exploring stakeholder networks for innovation in the periphery: Innovating for change, prosperity or status quo?. Regional Studies Association Regional Studies Association Annual Conference 2023 , Ljubljbana 2023-06-14 - 2023-06-17
-
Academic lectureLoewen, Bradley. (2023) Exploring stakeholder networks for innovation in the periphery: Innovation, prosperity or status quo?. European Society for Rural Sociology, Institut Agro 29th European Society for Rural Sociology Congress , Rennes 2023-07-03 - 2023-07-07
2022
-
PosterKorsnes, Marius; Loewen, Bradley; Dale, Ragnhild Freng; Steen, Markus; Skjølsvold, Tomas Moe. (2022) Paradoxes of Norway’s Energy Transition: Polarisation and Justice. ERSS 3rd International Conference on Energy Research and Social Science 2022 , Manchester, UK 2022-06-20 - 2022-06-23
-
Academic lectureKorsnes, Marius; Loewen, Bradley; Dale, Ragnhild Freng; Steen, Markus; Skjølsvold, Tomas Moe. (2022) Paradoxes of Norway’s Energy Transition: Polarisation and Justice. University of Eastern Finland Nordic Geographer's Meeting (NGM 2022) , Joensuu 2022-06-19 - 2022-06-22
2021
-
Academic lecturePlüschke-Altof, Bianka; Loewen, Bradley. (2021) Balancing resilience and inclusivity: Nordic-Baltic experiences of participative planning for urban resilience through nature-based solutions. Ecosystem Services Partnership 3rd ESP Europe Conference 2021 , Virtual / Tartu 2021-06-06 - 2021-06-10
-
Academic lectureLoewen, Bradley. (2021) Varieties of Capitalism and the Regional Dimension of Energy Transitions: A Review and way forward. Regional Studies Association Regions in Recovery Global E-Festival , Virtual 2021-06-02 - 2021-06-18
-
LectureSooväli-Sepping, Helen; Plüschke-Altof, Bianka; Loewen, Bradley James. (2021) Green spaces in times of an increasing urbanization: On the challenges of making sustainable cities. Baltic University Programme, Uppsala University Space Bridges 2.0 , Virtual 2021-12-02 - 2021-12-02
-
Academic lectureLoewen, Bradley. (2021) Mobilizing Varieties of Capitalism for sustainability transitions: A return to strategic interactions. University of Bergen, CET Beyond Oil: Prioritizing Climate Action , Bergen 2021-10-20 - 2021-10-21
-
Academic lectureLoewen, Bradley. (2021) Mobilizing Varieties of Capitalism for sustainability transitions research: A review and way forward. Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI IST2021 - 12th International Sustainability Transitions Conference , Karlsruhe / Virtual 2021-10-05 - 2021-10-08
2020
-
Academic lectureTemeljotov Salaj, Alenka; Loewen, Bradley. (2020) The next generation of smart citizens: Experiences and inspiration from the +CityxChange project. University of Belgrade, Faculty of Architecture 7th International Academic Conference on Places and Technologies , Belgrade 2020-10-29 - 2020-10-30
2019
-
Academic lectureLoewen, Bradley James. (2019) Towards territorial cohesion? Path dependence of regional policy in Central and Eastern Europe. 4th Conference of Interdisciplinary Research on Real Estate - CIRRE , Trondheim 2019-09-12 - 2019-09-13
2015
-
Academic lectureLoewen, Bradley. (2015) Contextualising regional policy for territorial cohesion in Central and Eastern Europe. European Association for Geographical Societies EUGEO Congress , Budapest 2015-08-30 - 2015-09-02