Frank W. Geels is a distinguished academic renowned for his pioneering contributions to understanding systemic change toward sustainability. He serves as Professor of System Innovation and Sustainability at the Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, where he is affiliated with both the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research and the Sustainable Consumption Institute. With a career spanning over two decades, Geels has established himself as a leading authority on socio-technical transitions, examining the complex interactions between social and technical factors in large-scale transformations of energy, mobility, and agri-food systems. His leadership was evident through his chairmanship of the Sustainability Transitions Research Network from 2011 to 2018, during which he significantly shaped the global research agenda in this field. Geels' academic journey has positioned him at the forefront of interdisciplinary research addressing some of the most pressing sustainability challenges of our time.
Geels is internationally recognized for developing the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) and Strategic Niche Management (SNM) frameworks, which have become foundational concepts for understanding how radical innovations emerge and how socio-technical transitions unfold over time. His extensive scholarly output includes six books and over 80 peer-reviewed articles published in prestigious journals such as Science, Nature Climate Change, and Global Environmental Change, with his 2002 paper standing as his most highly cited work. Designated as a Highly Cited Researcher by Thomson Reuters in 2014, 2019, 2020, and 2021, his research has provided critical insights into historical transitions and contemporary low-carbon transformations across multiple countries and sectors. Geels' methodological innovations, including his socio-technical scenario approach, have equipped researchers and policymakers with powerful tools to analyze and navigate complex sustainability challenges. His work combines insights from innovation studies, evolutionary economics, institutional theory, and political science to provide comprehensive explanations of systemic change.
As a thought leader shaping global sustainability discourse, Geels served as a lead author for the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report published in 2022 and previously contributed to the European Environment Agency's Scientific Committee from 2017 to 2020. His expertise is sought by major international organizations, having produced influential reports for the OECD, European Commission, and various national government departments including UK's BEIS and Defra. Elected to both the Academia Europaea and the Academy of Social Sciences, Geels continues to advance the theoretical foundations of sustainability transitions while ensuring practical relevance for policymakers addressing urgent climate challenges. His current research explores the governance dynamics of national smart electricity meter transitions and other critical pathways toward achieving global sustainability goals. Geels remains actively engaged in translating academic insights into actionable strategies for sustainable development across multiple sectors and countries.
