Franziska Hesser

Research Focus

Contribution to sustainability research in the context of innovation processes of bio-based production systems. Methodological challenges of sustainability assessment of bio-based products and processes and in the R&D stage:

• Research on the applicability and informative value of quantified sustainability assessment in the context of technology R&D due to methodological options, societal discourses and lack in scientific consensus in order to detect potential of reducing environmental burdens during R&D and define the scope for further material research activities
• Illustration of data gaps for techno-economic/environmantal/social assessments during R&D due to technology readiness level and implementation of supportive investigation considering additional dimensions of sustainability
  +Combination of environmental, economic, and social sustainability assessment with technology foresight to elaborate on eco-efficiency, trade-offs and anticipation of unintended side effects
  +Integration of stakeholders and societal perceptions of bio- and wood-based innovations for environmental, social and economic modelling of value chains of wood-based materials
  +Investigation on sustainability conceptualization and knowledge transfer in R&D Projects.