Michael Labelle

Biography

Dr. Michael LaBelle is an associate professor and the Jean Monnet Chair in Energy and Innovation Strategies at Central European University. He holds a joint appointment between the Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy and the Department of Economics and Business. His research is centered on energy governance, innovation strategies, and energy justice. The role of state institutions to foster investment is central to understand the role of companies developing new energy technologies. Professor LaBelle’s past research focused on policies and regulations behind Central Europe’s energy systems, including geopolitics of gas and neoliberal market reforms. He has published widely on the attempt to foster a shale gas industry in Eastern Europe. He teaches courses on energy policies and technologies, including sustainability and innovation. Much of his research involves issues of risk governance, with special attention paid to the sunk cost of energy investments. In addition, he has written peer reviewed articles and consulting publications on the strategic movement of energy firms and the regulatory environment in the Central Eastern European region. Previously, Dr. LaBelle was a member of the Atlantic Council’s Emerging Leaders in Environmental and Energy Policy Network. He worked in the CEU Center for Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Policy (3CSEP) and at the Regional Center for Energy Policy Research (REKK) at Corvinus University. He has worked on projects for the European Commission, United States Agency for International Development, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, Energy Regulators Regional Association and with energy consulting companies and European universities. He holds an MSc and PhD in Geographical Sciences from the University of Bristol. Qualification Ph.D. in Geographical Sciences (2006), University of Bristol, UK M.Sc. in Geographical Sciences (2002), University of Bristol, UK B.A. in Geography & International Studies (1998) honors, University of Minnesota Duluth A.A. in Communications and Speech (1995), Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City, MI

Research Interest

Energy and Climate Lab: Energy Innovation Lab, Energy Challenges for the 21st Century, Energy Infrastructure: Management and Policy, Energy Markets and Innovation Policies, Energy Policies and Strategic Management, Energy Policy, Environment and Management, Environmental Research Methods: Epistemological Foundations, ETC: Energy Transitions and Climate Change.