MIRAI Retreat Energy Materials for Resilient Cities

Participants

Academic participants

Researchers invited from the two Global Challenge Teams behind the retreat — GCT4 (Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage) and GCT3 (Resilient Cities and Communities).

All GCT members listed here have confirmed. These are the GCT4 and GCT3 members who will attend the retreat. Guests invited by the GCTs and early-career researchers are listed below, and more may still be added.

GCT4

Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage

8 invited · 8 confirmed

  • Feng Gao

    Feng GaoChair, SwedenConfirmed

    Prof. · Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University

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  • Masahiro Yoshizawa-Fujita

    Masahiro Yoshizawa-FujitaChair, JapanConfirmed

    Prof. · Materials & Life Sciences, Sophia University

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  • Leteng Lin

    Leteng LinConfirmed

    Associate Prof. · Built Environment and Energy Technology, Linnaeus University

    I work at the intersection of chemical engineering, materials science, sustainable energy and circular resource systems. My current focus is on converting biomass into high-value functional carbon materials for energy storage, environmental remediation and climate-resilient circular systems.

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  • Xiaoyan Ji

    Xiaoyan JiConfirmed

    Prof. · Division of Energy Engineering, Luleå University of Technology

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  • Mahmoud Mousavi

    Mahmoud MousaviConfirmed

    Prof. · Materials Science and Engineering, Uppsala University; Researcher, Hitachi Energy

    My research at Uppsala University focuses on architectured materials, multiphysics and computational mechanics, while through my collaboration with Hitachi Energy I work on applying these approaches to challenges in future electrical power systems. I’m keen to hear how researchers and industry stakeholders see materials and system-level innovation contributing to the future of electrical power transmission.

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  • Fangqin Guo

    Fangqin GuoConfirmed

    Assistant Prof. · Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University

    I work at the intersection of materials science, hydrogen energy, electrochemistry and sustainable energy systems. My current research focuses on hydrogen-storage materials, thermochemical hydrogen compression, hydride- and alloy-based electrodes for all-solid-state batteries, and the durability of alkaline water electrolysis under fluctuating renewable power conditions.

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  • Roman Selyanchyn

    Roman SelyanchynHostConfirmed

    Associate Prof. · Q-PIT, Kyushu University

    My research is on gas separation membranes that could be used to capture CO₂ from air or from industrial gas mixtures. I’m keen to hear how stakeholders see this technology fitting into CO₂ management in the built environment — schools, offices, and other buildings.

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  • Swagatha Ghosh

    Swagatha GhoshConfirmed

    Assistant Prof. · Applied Physics, Nagoya University

    My research aims at understanding the fundamental molecular mechanisms that regulate climate adaptation of certain fish species near the North Pole. We use structural biophysics and high-resolution imaging to address these questions, and our findings could have biomedical applications. From the stakeholders, I would like to hear about their interest in bringing climate awareness into school and university classrooms.

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GCT3

Resilient Cities and Communities

5 invited · 5 confirmed

  • Irina Mancheva

    Irina ManchevaChair, SwedenConfirmed

    Assistant Prof. · Political Science, Umeå University

    I focus on natural resource governance and the implementation of sustainability goals. I am particularly interested in exploring real-world implementation challenges and identifying opportunities for communities to advance climate adaptation and resilience through nature-based solutions.

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  • Emanuel Leleito

    Emanuel LeleitoChair, JapanConfirmed

    Lecturer · Civil Engineering, Nagoya University

    My research explores how human-centered urban informatics, grounded in architecture and urban planning, can contribute to more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient communities. I use spatial, computational, and immersive methods to develop participatory approaches that bring technological innovation, local knowledge, and collective action together. At the retreat, I hope to exchange ideas beyond disciplinary boundaries, uncover unexpected connections, and explore how they might develop into new collaborations in research, education, and practice.

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  • Patrik Ström

    Patrik StrömConfirmed

    Prof. · European Institute of Japanese Studies (EIJS), Stockholm School of Economics

    My research is focusing on the development of the advanced service industry and the transformation of economies that are becoming more service and knowledge based. The primary regional focus is Japan, South Korea, China and other emerging markets of East Asia, as well as the Single Internal Market for services in the EU. During the last ten years I have increasingly worked with issues regarding the transition towards the green economy in Europe and Asia. Main contributions within this area are the books Services and the Green Economy (2016) and the Research Handbook on the Green Economy (2024).

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  • Jonathan Roques

    Jonathan RoquesConfirmed

    Associate Prof. · Biological & Environmental Sciences / SWEMARC, University of Gothenburg

    I am a biologist, specialized in animal welfare, ecophysiology and behavior of aquatic species. My main research interest is to optimize the rearing conditions and welfare of animals in aquaculture practices. I use a multidisciplinary approach, combining physiology and behavior together with system design and the development of sensors and use of AI to ameliorate current farming practices. I am aiming at increasing the sustainability of local farming seafood for self-sufficiency, through interdisciplinary and socially engaging research. I am aiming to hear more about novel technologies for implementation in aquaculture systems.

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  • Ayyoob Sharifi

    Ayyoob SharifiConfirmed

    Prof. · The IDEC Institute, Hiroshima University

    My research focuses on smart cities and the interface between urbanism and climate change mitigation and adaptation. I am particularly interested in integrated planning approaches that facilitate co-benefits and synergies for health, sustainability, resilience, and peace.

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Participants

Invited by the GCTs

Researchers who are not GCT members, invited to the retreat by the GCT chairs.

  • Prasanna Divigalpitiya

    Prasanna DivigalpitiyaConfirmed

    Associate Prof. · Human-Environment Studies — Urban and Architecture, Kyushu University · Invited by GCT3

    My research examines urban growth, land-use efficiency, and urban transformation across expanding and shrinking cities. Using GIS, satellite imagery, spatial analysis, and modelling, I investigate how urban development strategies influence urban form and land-use efficiency over time. Focusing on South and Southeast Asia, Japan, and Western cities, my work seeks to support evidence-based planning strategies that foster sustainable, resilient, and livable urban environments.

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  • Xuepeng Qian

    Xuepeng QianConfirmed

    Prof. · Global Environmental Studies, Sophia University · Invited by GCT3

    I study resilient cities and communities through urban sustainability, environmental governance, and sustainability transitions. My recent research examines how cities and local communities respond to challenges such as decarbonization, urban shrinkage, resource circulation, climate risks, and behavioral change. By integrating urban studies, behavioral science, systems approaches, and data-driven analysis, my work aims to support more sustainable, adaptive, and resilient urban futures.

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  • Richard Nakamura

    Richard NakamuraConfirmed

    Senior Lecturer · Business Administration, University of Gothenburg · Invited by GCT3

    My research concerns how the green transformation and digital transformation impact the economic activities of agents. Seen from entrepreneurial and business perspectives, understanding Smart cities initiatives and how they contribute to the overall green transformation and sustainable development is the core of my research interest in this field.

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Participants

Early-career researchers

Early-career researchers are an important part of growing the MIRAI community, so the workshop includes a number of ECRs and gives them the opportunity to pitch their work.

More early-career researchers will be added as they are nominated. If you supervise a PhD student or postdoc who would benefit from this workshop, contact [email protected].

  • Emil Olofsson

    Emil OlofssonConfirmed

    PhD student · Political Science, Umeå University · GCT3

    My research focuses on the governance of sustainability transitions, with particular attention to their social consequences. During the workshop, I’m keen to explore with stakeholders how participatory, actionable approaches can help build resilient cities and communities as part of the shift to low-carbon futures.

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  • To be nominated

    Early-career researcher · Sweden

  • To be nominated

    Early-career researcher · Japan

  • To be nominated

    Early-career researcher · Japan

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