Dr. Thorkil Casse | Environmental economics | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Thorkil Casse | Environmental economics | Best Researcher Award

Kyushu University | Japan

Author Profile 

SCOPUS 

🎓 Early academic pursuits

Thorkil Casse began his academic journey with a strong foundation in economics and development studies. he earned a diplôme d'études approfondies from paris i, panthéon-sorbonne in 1981, followed by an m.sc. in economics from the university of copenhagen in 1982. his academic curiosity led him to explore macroeconomic frameworks, culminating in a ph.d. from aalborg university in 1998. his doctoral research focused on macro-economic stabilization and industrial policy in developing economies such as south korea, mexico, and vanuatu, signaling an early commitment to global socio-economic systems.

🧑‍🏫 Professional endeavors

As an associate professor emeritus at the institute of social sciences and business (ise), roskilde university, and a visiting professor at kyushu university, faculty of agriculture, japan, casse has maintained a notable presence in the academic world. until july 2023, he served as the head of the study board of ise’s international programs, led the epic research group, and contributed to the design of a new socio-economics educational program. his roles positioned him to influence both academic structure and international collaboration.

🔬 Contributions and research focus

Casse’s research has revolved around climate change, environmental governance, and economic development in the global south, particularly in asia and africa. his major projects, all Environmental economics externally funded, include impactful studies on the environmental state under authoritarian regimes, community forest governance in madagascar, and climate-induced disasters in vietnam. notably, the project titled ‘redd+ – the forest grab?’ engaged international partners from europe and asia, reflecting his ability to bridge socio-environmental research with applied economic policies—a principle applicable in evaluating developmental trade-offs in fields such as power electronics and renewable energy planning.

🌍 Impact and influence

Casse’s work has had significant policy and academic impact. as the ruc representative on the ipbes danish steering committee and danish delegate to the 2022 ipbes plenary session in bonn, he influenced national and international discourses on biodiversity and climate governance. his interdisciplinary work has often informed discussions where power electronics are Environmental economics relevant, particularly in the deployment of smart energy systems and green transitions within authoritarian regimes managing environmental transformations.

📚 Academic cites

Thorkil Casse’s publications and collaborative projects have gained academic traction, frequently cited in journals spanning development studies, political ecology, and environmental Environmental economics economics. his focus on southeast asia and africa contributes unique empirical insights to academic literature, especially in analyzing how economic systems adapt to environmental pressures—insights also indirectly informing technical fields like power electronics, especially in the context of infrastructure planning and socio-technical transitions in emerging economies.

🌟 Legacy and future contributions

As an emeritus professor, casse continues to influence future generations through mentoring and academic collaboration. his interdisciplinary approach—blending economics, climate studies, and institutional analysis—offers a lasting blueprint for navigating sustainability challenges. future contributions may arise through comparative work on climate resilience in authoritarian contexts or co-developing frameworks for integrating socio-economic analysis into technical domains, including those underpinning power electronics infrastructure in climate-vulnerable regions.

Notable Publications 

  • Title: Actor-centered power and forest governance: Can a conceptual framework help us understand the conflict in managing national parks in Vietnam?
    Author(s): Nhinh Thi Do, Thorkil Casse, Ta Viet Ton
    Journal: Forest Policy and Economics, 2025

  • Title: Hydropower Plant Construction and Resettlement in Nghệ An, Vietnam: An Example of State Coercive Methods in Practice?
    Author(s): Nhinh Thi Do, Thorkil Casse, Gvantsa Gverdtsiteli, Kimihiko Hyakumura
    Journal: Sociology of Development, 2023

Assoc Prof Dr.  Yu-nan Chen – Thermochemical conversion of biomass and organic solid waste – Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr.  Yu-nan Chen - Thermochemical conversion of biomass and organic solid waste - Best Researcher Award

Xi'an Jiaotong University - China

Author Profile 

SCOPUS 

ORCID 

Early academic pursuits 🎓

Yu-nan Chen's journey in the field of energy and chemical engineering began with his passion for understanding complex chemical reactions. he pursued his education with a focus on chemical processes in extreme conditions, leading him to specialize in the area of supercritical water gasification. his academic foundation was further strengthened by advanced studies at xi’an jiaotong university, where he honed his skills in chemical reaction mechanisms and supercritical fluids.

Professional endeavors 🏛️

currently an associate professor at the state key laboratory of multiphase flow in power engineering at xi’an jiaotong university, yu-nan chen plays a pivotal role in advancing research on energy conversion processes. his professional career is centered around the exploration of coal, biomass, and organic waste gasification, focusing on the utilization of supercritical water. through his leadership in national research projects, chen has positioned himself as a key figure in the field of sustainable energy and resource utilization.

contributions and research focus 🌱

Yu-nan Chen’s research focuses on the supercritical water gasification process, exploring the chemical reaction mechanisms involved. using advanced computational techniques such as density functional theory, he has uncovered the microscopic reaction dynamics of supercritical water, hydrogen, and free radicals. his innovative Thermochemical conversion of biomass and organic solid waste work has contributed significantly to the understanding of how these elements interact during the gasification of coal and biomass, paving the way for more efficient and sustainable energy solutions.

Accolades and recognition 🏅

Yu-nan Chen’s contributions to the field are recognized through his extensive publication record, with over 30 original papers in leading scientific journals. he has also been awarded 11 patents, a testament to the practical application of his research. as a leader in national research initiatives, chen's work has received widespread Thermochemical conversion of biomass and organic solid waste recognition within the scientific community, solidifying his status as an influential figure in chemical engineering and energy research.

Impact and influence 🌍

The impact of yu-nan chen’s research extends beyond academia. his work on supercritical water gasification has practical implications for energy resource management, offering sustainable solutions for the utilization of coal, biomass, and organic waste. by revealing the microscopic reaction mechanisms in these Thermochemical conversion of biomass and organic solid waste processes, his research contributes to the development of cleaner, more efficient energy technologies, influencing both scientific advancements and industrial practices.

Legacy and future contributions 🔮

Yu-nan chen’s legacy lies in his groundbreaking research on supercritical water gasification and his role in promoting sustainable energy utilization. his future work promises to further advance the field, with a continued focus on uncovering deeper insights into the chemical reactions involved in energy conversion processes. chen’s commitment to innovation and sustainability ensures that his research will have lasting influence on both science and society.

Notable Publications